Władysław Kowalski

Who was Władysław Kowalski?

Władysław Kowalski was a Polish communist politician, who served as Sejm Marshal during the first Sejm of the Communist Poland and, ex officio, as the head of state for one day. He was also a publisher and writer.

He was also known by the pseudonyms Sałas, Bartłomiej Zarychta and Stanisławski.

Kowalski was born in a small village of Paprotnia near Rawa Mazowiecka as a son of farm worker. Because of his family poverty he graduated just three school grades and later became an autodidact.

Before he became a communist, he was member of various peasants parties, such as Polish People's Party "Wyzwolenie", Peasant's Independent Party, United People's Left "Samopomoc" and People's Party.

He was also an active member of the Communist Party of Poland and PPR.

Kowalski was a longtime member of parties leaderships:

⁕1926-1927: Member of the Central Committee of the PIP

⁕1944-1945: Vice President of the SL "Wola"

⁕1945-1949: Member of the Supreme Council of the SL