Ignacy Działyński

Who was Ignacy Działyński?

Ignacy Erazm Działyński was a Polish nobleman of Ogończyk Coat of Arms and a military officer, known for his participation in the Warsaw Uprising of 1794.

Born in 1754 in Konarzew near Poznań, he was the son of the Voivode of Kalisz Augustyn Radomiecki and his wife Anna. Orphaned early by his father, he was raised by his father-in-law, Great Lithuanian Marshal Władysaw Gótowski. Educated in the Jesuit school in Poznań and the Collegium Nobilium in Warsaw, in 1784 he married Szczęsna Woroniczówna, daughter of a Spaniard of Bełsk and owner of much land in Wołyń.

In 1780 he joined the Polish Army with the rank of Rotmistrz of Cavalry. On 23 December 1788 he bought from general Aleksander Mycielski the rank of General and the command of 10th Regiment of Foot. That regiment, known as the 'Radzyński Regiment' under his command became known as 'Działyński Regiment'. He was a deputy for the famous Sejm Wielki, where together with Jan Kiliński he was one of the leaders of the 'moderate' faction, supporting the King Stanisław August Poniatowski, Polish Constitution of May 3, 1791, and advocating strengthening of the army, enfranchisement of the burghers and alliance with Revolutionary France. The following year together with his regiment he took part in the ill-fated War in Defense of the Constitution.