Stanisław Kostka Potocki

Count Stanisław Kostka Potocki (* November 1755 in Lublin, † September 14, 1821 in Wilanów ) was a Polish nobleman, politician, General, MP, reconnaissance, Freemasons, writer, patron, architect, artist, archaeologist, art historian, art collector and a graduate of the Collegium Nobilium in Warsaw. His brother was Ignacy Potocki.

Potocki was connected to the Enlightenment. He was in the Polish civil service as an MP in 1776, 1786, and 1788 to 1791 a leader of the Reform Party on the Four Years' Sejm and co-creators of the Constitution of May 3, 1791. Since 1797 he was Minister of Education, in the Napoleonic Duchy of Warsaw, President of the Education Department and 1818 President of the Senate. He co-founded the Warsaw Society of Friends of Sciences and the University of Warsaw.

Versatile educated and interested, Potocki dealt with the Polish language and history. He translated Johann Joachim Winckelmann's writings into Polish and wrote in 1779, " De l' Eloquence et du style" and " Idées d'architecture ". In 1820 he wrote the satirical novel " Podróż do Ciemnogrodu ".

After traveling in Italy and France Potocki was from 1782, the famous gardens in Olesin invest in Kurów. In 1805 he made ​​his extensive collections in Wilanów palace to the public. Potocki in 1812 Grand Master of the Polish Masonic Order.

Potocki was married to Princess Aleksandra Lubomirska.