Stanisław Antoni Szczuka

Who was Stanisław Antoni Szczuka?

Stanisław Antoni Szczuka h. Grabie was a Polish noble, talented politician and political writer.

Son of a serviceman Stanisław Szczuka h. Grabie and Zofia Szpilewska z Neronowiczów. He married Konstancja Maria Anna Potocka h. Pilawa on February 6, 1695, the daughter of starost of Janów Bogusław Potocki h. Pilawa.

He was a Recorder of the Crown in 1688, deputy of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in Ducal Prussia in 1690, Deputy Chancellor of Lithuania from 1699.

Szczuka was born to a middle-class szlachta family and educated in Wilno and Kraków. Because of his own ability and hard work he achieved high offices in the Republic. He began his political and career as secretary of King Jan III Sobieski. In 1696 he became an adviser to August II.

In 1706 he changed sides and became a supporter of Stanisław Leszczyński.

He was a notable political writer and Sejm orator. He also proposed the opening of public schools free of charge.

As Sejm Marshal he led the extraordinary Sejm on November 17, 1688 – April 1, 1689 and the pacification Sejm on June 16 – June 30, 1699 in Warsaw.

He died on May 19, 1710 in Warsaw and was buried in Szczuczyn.