Franciszek Morawski


Franciszek Dzierżykraj Morawski was a divisional general in the Polish army, a minister of war during the November Uprising, poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright.

Life

Franciszek Morawski was the son of Wojciech Morawski and Zofia Szczaniecka. He began his education in the family home, before continuing his studies in nearby Leszno and later still in Frankfurt, where he studied law. He worked for a time in the court in Frankfurt, and later became an assessor in Kalisz.
In 1820 Morawski married Aniela Wierzchowska. The couple had two children: Tadeusz et Anna Maria.
Franciszek Morawski died 12 December 1861.

Military career

In November 1806, Morawski enlisted in Napoleon's honor guard in Poznań. He served as second lieutenant in 1st infantry regiment. In the following year he fought in the Battle of Tczew, during which he was promoted to lieutenant. He fought in the Siege of Danzig he became captain. That same year, after the Siege of Kolberg in 1807, Morawski was decorated with the Knights' cross of the Virtuti Militari.
During the War of the Fifth Coalition he was aide de camp to general Stanisław Fiszer. Morawski commanded the 16th infantry division during the French Invasion of Russia. On 8 October 1812 he was promoted colonel. Following Napoleon's eventual defeat, Morawski was dispatched to Denmark to find Polish prisoners of war.
From 5 February 1815 he served in the army of Congress Poland. Between 1820 and 1826, he commanded the 3rd brigade of the 2nd infantry division at Zamość. He was decorated with the Order of Saint Stanislaus by Nicholas I of Russia
At the outbreak of the November Uprising, Morawski found himself in Lublin. On 30 January 1831, he was named intendant general of the insurrectional army, and later became minister of war.
He decommissioned on 11 September 1831 in protest against the negotiations being undertaken with Russia.

Literary activity

In 1833, Morawski retired to Lubonia and devoted himself to literary pursuits. He belonged to the Towarzystwo Iksów, and both the Warsaw and Poznań Societies of Friends of Learning. He took part in literary evenings organized by Wincenty Krasiński, and often visited Izabela and Adam Kazimierz Czartoryski at their palace in Puławy.
Morawski wrote poetry and plays, as well as fables. He was a prolific literary and theater critic, and feuilletonist. He translated various works, including those of Racine, Shakespeare, Byron.

Selected works