Ignacy Potocki

Count Roman Ignacy Franciszek Potocki ( born February 28, 1750 in Radzyń Podlaski, Poland, † August 30, 1809 in Vienna) was a Polish nobleman, statesman, writer and publicist from the noble Potocki.

Ignacy Potocki studied theology and law in Rome before the Commission he worked for the national education system in Poland - Lithuania in 1772. This first " Ministry of Education " of the modern era, he was a member until 1791, where he was primarily involved in the publication of textbooks. During this time he also received the Order of the White Eagle.

Politically supported Potocki, especially in the later years of King Stanisław August Poniatowski and was a member of the enlightened reformist wing. He mediated on March 29, 1790, alliance with Prussia. The spotter then participated in the design of the Constitution of May 3, 1791. After the defeat of the reformers in the Russian- Polish war of 1792 he left Poland. A short time later, he returned and supported the 1794 Kościuszko Uprising. After its suppression Potocki was arrested by the Russian authorities in 1796 but released. He then settled in Galicia and devoted himself to historical studies.