Marian Dabrowski
Encyclopedia
Marian Dąbrowski was a Polish
journalist, entrepreneur and publisher, the biggest and the most influential press magnate of the Second Polish Republic
.
Between 1903 and 1907 he studied Polish philology at the Jagiellonian University
in Krakow
. Then took up the job of a teacher, but quit and began working as a secretary of the Ilustracja Polska magazine. In 1908 he became a journalist in the Glos Narodu magazine, two years later he founded his own newspaper, Ilustrowany Kurier Codzienny
(Illustrated Daily Courier). First issu of the IKC was printed on December 18, 1910, after a few years its circulation grew to 180 000.
In 1918, after World War I
, Dabrowski started creating his own press empire, opening offices in several locations of the interbellum Poland. In 1927 he purchased the Nowa Reforma magazine and moved his business to a lavish building called Palac Prasy (Palace of the Press), located at 1 Wielopole Street in Krakow. In 1932 his company was worth some $1.5 mln, he employed around 1400 people and published 5 titles, including the flagship, Ilustrowany Kurier Codzienny.
Between 1921 and 1935 Dabrowski was member of the Polish Parliament
, as a member of the Polish People's Party (PSL) and later, Bezpartyjny Blok Współpracy z Rządem (BBWR). Since 1926 he supported the Sanacja
, also was alderman of the city of Krakow. Dabrowski often helped those in need, he funded prizes for young painters, also financially supported construction of a new building of the National Museum of Poland. He came up with the idea of opening the Bagatela Theatre, also sponsored field works around the Krakus Mound
.
For many years, Dabrowski was a member of Krakow's Association of Friends of Fine Arts, between 1935 and 1939 he was director of this organization. He supported development of sports, organizing various competitions. Also, he popularized the Tatra Mountains
, for which he was named honorary citizen of Zakopane
.
Just before World War II
, Dabrowski left Poland for France
. The war turned out a catastrophe for his business. His savings quickly dried out, and he moved to Florida
, where lived in poverty, forgotten and destitute. He died on the day of his 80th birthday, after several years urn with his ashes was brought to Krakow and buried at the Rakowicki Cemetery.
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
journalist, entrepreneur and publisher, the biggest and the most influential press magnate of the Second Polish Republic
Second Polish Republic
The Second Polish Republic, Second Commonwealth of Poland or interwar Poland refers to Poland between the two world wars; a period in Polish history in which Poland was restored as an independent state. Officially known as the Republic of Poland or the Commonwealth of Poland , the Polish state was...
.
Between 1903 and 1907 he studied Polish philology at the Jagiellonian University
Jagiellonian University
The Jagiellonian University was established in 1364 by Casimir III the Great in Kazimierz . It is the oldest university in Poland, the second oldest university in Central Europe and one of the oldest universities in the world....
in Krakow
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
. Then took up the job of a teacher, but quit and began working as a secretary of the Ilustracja Polska magazine. In 1908 he became a journalist in the Glos Narodu magazine, two years later he founded his own newspaper, Ilustrowany Kurier Codzienny
Ilustrowany Kurier Codzienny
Ilustrowany Kurier Codzienny was a Polish daily as well as a publishing house, founded in 1910 in Kraków by Marian Dąbrowski...
(Illustrated Daily Courier). First issu of the IKC was printed on December 18, 1910, after a few years its circulation grew to 180 000.
In 1918, after World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Dabrowski started creating his own press empire, opening offices in several locations of the interbellum Poland. In 1927 he purchased the Nowa Reforma magazine and moved his business to a lavish building called Palac Prasy (Palace of the Press), located at 1 Wielopole Street in Krakow. In 1932 his company was worth some $1.5 mln, he employed around 1400 people and published 5 titles, including the flagship, Ilustrowany Kurier Codzienny.
Between 1921 and 1935 Dabrowski was member of the Polish Parliament
Sejm
The Sejm is the lower house of the Polish parliament. The Sejm is made up of 460 deputies, or Poseł in Polish . It is elected by universal ballot and is presided over by a speaker called the Marshal of the Sejm ....
, as a member of the Polish People's Party (PSL) and later, Bezpartyjny Blok Współpracy z Rządem (BBWR). Since 1926 he supported the Sanacja
Sanacja
Sanation was a Polish political movement that came to power after Józef Piłsudski's May 1926 Coup d'État. Sanation took its name from his watchword—the moral "sanation" of the Polish body politic...
, also was alderman of the city of Krakow. Dabrowski often helped those in need, he funded prizes for young painters, also financially supported construction of a new building of the National Museum of Poland. He came up with the idea of opening the Bagatela Theatre, also sponsored field works around the Krakus Mound
Krakus Mound
Krakus Mound is a tumulus located in the Podgórze district of Kraków, Poland; assumed to be the resting place of the legendary prince Krakus. It is located on Lasota Hill, approximately south of the city centre, at an altitude of , with the base diameter of and the height of .The age and the...
.
For many years, Dabrowski was a member of Krakow's Association of Friends of Fine Arts, between 1935 and 1939 he was director of this organization. He supported development of sports, organizing various competitions. Also, he popularized the Tatra Mountains
Tatra Mountains
The Tatra Mountains, Tatras or Tatra , are a mountain range which forms a natural border between Slovakia and Poland, and are the highest mountain range in the Carpathian Mountains...
, for which he was named honorary citizen of Zakopane
Zakopane
Zakopane , is a town in southern Poland. It lies in the southern part of the Podhale region at the foot of the Tatra Mountains. From 1975 to 1998 it was in of Nowy Sącz Province, but since 1999 it has been in Lesser Poland Province. It had a population of about 28,000 as of 2004. Zakopane is a...
.
Just before World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Dabrowski left Poland for France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. The war turned out a catastrophe for his business. His savings quickly dried out, and he moved to Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, where lived in poverty, forgotten and destitute. He died on the day of his 80th birthday, after several years urn with his ashes was brought to Krakow and buried at the Rakowicki Cemetery.