The National Democrats' theorist who turned from socialism to 'national egoism'
Born in Lublin in 1858, he studied law in St Petersburg and joined Polish socialist circles. Escaping arrest in 1881 he went to Lwów, was expelled and spent thirteen years in Switzerland, taking a doctorate in law at Geneva. He founded the Union of Polish Youth 'Zet' in 1887 and, with Dmowski, the National League in 1893 and the National Democratic Party (Endecja) in 1897. Breaking with socialism in the mid-1890s, he argued in National Egoism and Ethics (1902) for moral relativism in the service of national goals, and was a key figure in the National Democrats' antisemitic agitation. In the First World War he sided with the Entente and promoted Polish legions alongside the Russian army. He died in Petrograd in 1916.
Activities and affiliations
-
1893–1916
National League (Liga Narodowa, Poland)Main
Political and party leadership -
1897–1916
Political and party leadership
Career Timeline
- 1879Joined the Community of Polish Socialists in St Petersburg
- 1883–1896Exile in Switzerland; doctorate in law, University of Geneva, 1896
- 1887Founded the Union of Polish Youth 'Zet'
- 1893Co-founded the National League with Dmowski
- 1897Co-founded the National Democratic Party
- 1902Published National Egoism and Ethics
- 1915Member of the organising committee of Polish legions alongside the Russian army