Stanisław Narutowicz
Lithuanian politician 1862–1932 / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Stanisław Narutowicz?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Stanisław Narutowicz (Lithuanian: Stanislovas Narutavičius pronunciationⓘ; 2 September 1862 – 31 December 1932) was a lawyer and politician, one of the 20 signatories of the Act of Independence of Lithuania. His brother was the first president of Poland Gabriel Narutowicz.[1]
Stanisław Narutowicz | |
---|---|
Born | (1862-09-02)2 September 1862 |
Died | 31 December 1932(1932-12-31) (aged 70) |
Cause of death | Suicide |
Other names | Stanislovas Narutavičius |
Alma mater | Kiev University |
Occupation(s) | Attorney, politician |
Known for | Signatory of the Act of Independence of Lithuania |
Spouse | Joanna Narutowicz |
Children | Kazimierz Narutowicz |
Relatives | Brother Gabriel Narutowicz |
Born into a family of Lithuanian nobility, Narutowicz studied law at Kiev University. As a student he joined socialist groups and organized publication of the Polish-language workers' newspaper Tygodnik Powszechny [pl], but soon withdrew from more active political work. During the Russian Revolution of 1905, he was elected to a zemstvo (an institution of local self-government), participated in the Great Seimas of Vilnius, and was briefly arrested for his involvement in the anti-Tsarist activities in Alsėdžiai. Together with his wife Joanna, Narutowicz established a progymnasium for girls and gymnasium for boys in Telšiai in 1907 and 1909, respectively.
In 1917, he helped organize the Vilnius Conference and was elected to the 20-member Council of Lithuania. He was the only Polish–Lithuanian member of the council. When the council adopted an act declaring independent Lithuania but in "a firm and permanent alliance" with Germany, Narutowicz and three other members of the council resigned in protest. This forced the council to reconsider and unanimously adopt the Act of Independence of Lithuania on 16 February 1918. This final Act of Independence made no political promises to Germany. Narutowicz was also staunchly against constitutional monarchy and resigned from the Council of Lithuania when it selected Wilhelm Karl, Duke of Urach as the King of Lithuania in July 1918.
In summer 1919, the Polish Military Organisation organized a coup d'état against he government of Lithuania. Narutowicz was selected to become the Prime Minister of the new pro-Polish government. However, the coup was discovered and Narutowicz retired from public life. He returned to agricultural matters at his Brėvikiai Manor [lt]. However, he faced financial difficulties, social alienation, family troubles. He died by suicide on 31 December 1932.