List of heads of state of Poland

Last updated

This article lists the heads of state of Poland. Currently, the president of Poland is the head of state of the country.

Contents

Poland in the Early Middle Ages

See: Poland in the Early Middle Ages

Legendary rulers

Most of these rulers appear for the first time in chronicles from the 13th century.

NameLifespanReign startReign endNotesFamilyImage
Lech I 6th century6th century6th centuryLegendary founder of the Polish nation Lechites (tribe) Lech 111.PNG
Krakus I
  • Krak
8th century8th century8th centuryLegendary founder of Kraków Lechites (tribe) Krak.PNG
Krakus II
  • Krak II
8th century8th century8th centuryAccording to the legend, he ruled in Kraków.Lechites (tribe)
Lech II 8th century8th century8th centuryAccording to the legend, he ruled in Kraków.Lechites (tribe) Lech II.jpg
Wanda
  • Wąda
8th century8th century8th centuryLegendary daughter of Krakus Lechites (tribe) Chronica Polonorum Vanda.jpg
Leszko I
  • Leszek I
  • Duke
7th / 8th centuries7th / 8th centuries7th [1] / 8th centuriesA legendary ruler of the West Slavic ("proto-Polish") tribe of Goplans and Polans Goplans and Polans (tribes) LestekPrim1581.JPG
Leszko II
  • Leszek II
  • Duke
8th century8th century8th centuryA legendary duke of Polans Popielids LestekBis1581.JPG
Leszko III
  • Leszek III
  • Duke
8th century8th century8th centuryA legendary duke of PolansPopielids LestekTri1581.JPG
Popiel I
  • Duke
8th century8th century8th centuryA legendary duke of PolansPopielids Popelus Primus.PNG
Popiel II
  • Duke
9th century9th century9th centuryA legendary ruler dethroned by Piast. He appears (without the number) in the oldest Polish chronicle, Gesta principum Polonorum from the early XII century.Popielids Popiel2.jpg
Piast the Wheelwright
  • Polish: Piast Kołodziej
    Latin: Past Ckosisconis, Pazt filius Chosisconisu
  • Duke
9th century9th century9th centuryA legendary founder of the Piast dynasty. Son of Chościsko, father of Siemowit. He appears in the oldest Polish chronicle, Gesta principum Polonorum from the early XII century. Piast Piast.PNG

Semi-legendary dukes of the Polans in Greater Poland

Several historians tend to believe that three legendary rulers of early Poland before Mieszko I might actually be historical persons. They appear in the oldest Polish chronicle, Gesta principum Polonorum from the early 12th century.

NameLifespanReign startReign endNotesFamilyImage
Siemowit
  • Ziemowit
  • Duke
9th century9th century9th centurySon of Piast the Wheelwright and Rzepicha Piast Walery Eljasz-Radzikowski, Ziemowit.jpg
Lestek
  • Leszek, Lestko
  • Duke
9th / 10th centuries9th / 10th centuries9th / 10th centuriesSon of SiemowitPiast Walery Eljasz-Radzikowski, Leszek s. Ziemowita.jpg
Siemomysł
  • Ziemomysł
  • Duke
10th century10th century10th centurySon of LestekPiast Walery Eljasz-Radzikowski, Ziemomysl.jpg

Kingdom of Poland and Duchy of Poland, 966–1569

Piast dukes and kings

NameLifespanReign startReign endNotesFamilyImage
Mieszko I
  • Duke
ca. 940 – 25 May 992ca. 960992Son of Siemomysł. First Christian Polish monarch. Misico, dux Wandalorum Piast Mieszko1.jpg
Bolesław I the Brave
  • Bolesław I the Great
    Polish: Bolesław I Chrobry (Wielki)
967 – 17 June 1025Duke: 992
King: 18 April 1025
Duke: 18 April 1025
King: 17 June 1025
Son of Mieszko I and Dobrawa of Bohemia. First to be crowned king. Regnum Sclavorum, Gothorum sive PolonorumPiast Boleslaw I the Brave buys the corpse of Saint Adalbert of Prague from the Prussians, Gniezno Door ca. 1170.png
Mieszko II Lambert ca. 990 – 10/11 May 103410251031Son of Bolesław I and Emnilda of Lusatia Piast Darstellung Mieszkos und Mathildes von Schwaben.jpg
Bezprym
  • Duke
ca. 986–103210311032Son of Bolesław I and Judith of Hungary Piast Bezprym.jpeg
Otto Bolesławowic
  • Duke
1000–103310321032Son of Bolesław I and EmnildaPiast
Dytryk
  • Theoderick
  • Duke
after 992 – after 103210321032 /1033Grandson of Mieszko I and Oda of Haldensleben Piast
Mieszko II Lambert
  • Duke
ca. 990 – 10/11 May 103410321034RestoredPiast Darstellung Mieszkos und Mathildes von Schwaben.jpg
Bolesław the Forgotten
  • Polish: Bolesław Zapomniany
  • Duke
before 1016 – 1038 or 103910341038 /1039Semi-legendary, existence disputedPiast
Casimir I the Restorer
  • Polish: Kazimierz I Odnowiciel
  • Duke
(1016-06-25)25 June 1016 – 28 November 1058(1058-11-28) (aged 42)10391058Son of Mieszko II and Richeza of Lotharingia Piast Kazimierz I Odnowiciel.jpg
Bolesław II the Generous
  • Polish: Bolesław II Szczodry
ca. 1041 or 1042 – 2 or 3 April 1081 or 1082Duke: 1058
King: 1076
Duke: 1076
King: 1079
Son of Kazimierz I and Maria Dobroniega of Kiev Piast Denar rys szczodry2.png
Władysław I Herman
  • Duke
ca. 1044 – 4 June 110210791102Son of Kazimierz I and Maria DobroniegaPiast Pieczec Wladyslawa Hermana.jpg
Zbigniew
  • Zbygniew
  • Duke
ca. 1073 – 8 July 111311021107Son of Władysław I and Przecława of Prawdzic coat of arms (disputed). First jointly with Władysław I, 1098-1102Piast Zbigniew.JPG
Bolesław III Wrymouth
  • Polish: Bolesław III Krzywousty
  • Duke
(1086-08-20)20 August 1086 – 28 October 1138(1138-10-28) (aged 52)11071138Son of Władysław I and Judith of Bohemia. First jointly with Władysław, 1098-1102. Introduced senioral principle Piast Boleslaw III Wrymouth.jpg

Fragmentation of the Kingdom of Poland, 1138–1314

Piast high dukes

NameLifespanReign startReign endNotesFamilyImage
Władysław II the Exile
  • Polish: Władysław II Wygnaniec
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
1105 – 30 May 115911381146Son of Bolesław III and Zbyslava of Kiev. Also Duke of Silesia. Exiled by his brothers Piast Wladyslaw II Wygnaniec by Aleksander Lesser.PNG
Bolesław IV the Curly
  • Polish: Bolesław Kędzierzawy
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1125 – 5 January 117311461173Son of Bolesław III and Salomea of Berg
Also Duke of Masovia
Piast Boleslaw IV Kedzierzawy by Aleksander Lesser.PNG
Mieszko III the Old
  • Polish: Mieszko III Stary
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1127 – 13 March 120211731177Son of Bolesław III and Salomea. Also Duke of Greater PolandPiast PL Gloger-Encyklopedja staropolska ilustrowana T.3 355a.jpg
Casimir II the Just
  • Polish: Kazimierz II Sprawiedliwy
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1138 – 5 May 119411771190Son of Bolesław III and Salomea. Also Duke of Wiślica and SandomierzPiast Casimir II of Poland.PNG
Mieszko III the Old
  • Polish: Mieszko III Stary
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1127 – 13 March 120211901190RestoredPiast PL Gloger-Encyklopedja staropolska ilustrowana T.3 355a.jpg
Casimir II the Just
  • Polish: Kazimierz II Sprawiedliwy
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1138 – 5 May 119411901194RestoredPiast Casimir II of Poland.PNG
Leszek I the White
  • Polish: Leszek Biały
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1186 – 24 November 122711941198Son of Casimir II and Helen of Znojmo. Also Duke of SandomierzPiast Leszek Bialy by Aleksander Lesser.PNG
Mieszko III the Old
  • Polish: Mieszko III Stary
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1127 – 13 March 120211981199RestoredPiast PL Gloger-Encyklopedja staropolska ilustrowana T.3 355a.jpg
Leszek I the White
  • Polish: Leszek Biały
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1186 – 24 November 122711991199RestoredPiast Leszek Bialy by Aleksander Lesser.PNG
Mieszko III the Old
  • Polish: Mieszko III Stary
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1127 – 13 March 120211991202RestoredPiast PL Gloger-Encyklopedja staropolska ilustrowana T.3 355a.jpg
Władysław III Spindleshanks
  • Polish: Władysław III Laskonogi
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1161/66 – 3 November 123112021202Son of Mieszko III and Eudoxia of Kiev. Also Duke of Greater PolandPiast Jan Matejko, Wladyslaw Laskonogi.jpg
Leszek I the White
  • Polish: Leszek Biały
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1186 – 24 November 122712021210RestoredPiast Leszek Bialy by Aleksander Lesser.PNG
Mieszko IV Tanglefoot
  • Polish: Mieszko I Plątonogi
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1130 – 16 May 121112101211Son of Władysław II and Agnes of Babenberg. Also Duke of SilesiaPiast Mieszko IV.JPG
Leszek I the White
  • Polish: Leszek Biały
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1186 – 24 November 122712111225RestoredPiast Leszek Bialy by Aleksander Lesser.PNG
Henryk I the Bearded
  • Polish: Henryk I Brodaty
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1165 – 19 March 123812251225Grandson of Władysław II, son of Bolesław I the Tall and Krystyna. Also Duke of SilesiaPiast Henry I of Poland.jpg
Leszek I the White
  • Polish: Leszek Biały
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1186 – 24 November 122712251227Restored. AssassinatedPiast Leszek Bialy by Aleksander Lesser.PNG
Władysław III Spindleshanks
  • Polish: Władysław III Laskonogi
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1161/66 – 3 November 123112271229RestoredPiast Jan Matejko, Wladyslaw Laskonogi.jpg
Konrad I of Masovia
  • Polish: Konrad I Mazowiecki
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1187/88 – 31 August 124712291232Son of Kazimierz II and Helen of Znojmo. Also Duke of MasoviaPiast KOnrad.jpg
Henryk I the Bearded
  • Polish: Henryk I Brodaty
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1165 – 19 March 123812321238RestoredPiast Henry I of Poland.jpg
Henryk II the Pious
  • Polish: Henryk II Pobożny
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1196 – 9 April 124112381241Son of Henry I and Saint Hedwig of Andechs (Saint Hedwig of Silesia). Also Duke of Wroclaw and Greater Poland. Fell at the Battle of Legnica Piast Henryk II Pobozny (Hedwig Codex).jpg
Bolesław II the Horned
  • Bolesław II Rogatka
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1220–127812411241Son of Henry II and Anne of Bohemia. Also Duke of SilesiaPiast
Konrad I of Masovia
  • Polish: Konrad I Mazowiecki
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1187/88 – 31 August 124712411243RestoredPiast KOnrad.jpg
Bolesław V the Chaste
  • Polish: Bolesław Wstydliwy
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
21 June 1226 – 7 December 127912431279Son of Leszek the White and Grzymislawa of Luck Piast Jan Matejko, Boleslaw Wstydliwy.jpg
Leszek II the Black
  • Polish: Leszek Czarny
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1241 – 30 September 128812791288Grandson of Konrad I of Masovia. Maternal grandson of Henry II. Son of Casimir I of Kuyavia and Constance of Wrocław Piast Leszek Czarny by Aleksander Lesser.PNG
Bolesław II of Masovia
  • Boleslaw II of Płock
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1251 – 20 April 131312881288Grandson of Konrad I of Masovia
Duke of Masovia
Piast Boleslaw II.jpg
Henryk IV Probus
  • Polish: Henryk IV Prawy
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1257/58 – 23 June 129012881289Paternal grandson of Henryk II. Maternal grandson of Konrad I. Son of Henry III the White and Judyta of Masovia. Duke of Lower SilesiaPiast Henryk IV Probus seal 1268.PNG
Bolesław II of Masovia
  • Boleslaw II of Płock
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1251 – 20 April 131312891289RestoredPiast Boleslaw II.jpg
Władysław I the Elbow-high
  • Polish: Władysław I Łokietek
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
1261 – 2 March 133312891289Grandson of Konrad I of Masovia. Son of Kazimierz I of Kujawia and Euphrosyne of Opole Piast Wladyslaw I sarcophagus figure.jpg
Henryk IV Probus
  • Polish: Henryk IV Prawy
  • High Duke
    Supreme Prince
ca. 1257/58 – 23 June 129012891290RestoredPiast Henryk IV Probus seal 1268.PNG

Reunification attempts in the Kingdom of Poland 1232–1305

Piast kings
NameLifespanReign startReign endNotesFamilyImage
Przemysł II
  • Premyslas, Premislaus
(1257-10-14)14 October 1257 – 8 February 1296(1296-02-08) (aged 38)High Duke: 1290
King: 1295
High Duke: 1291
King: 1296
Grandson of Henryk II. Son of Przemysł I and Elisabeth of Wrocław. Also Duke of Poznań, Greater Poland, and Pomerania Piast Przemysl II. Siegel Elbing-Urkunde Vossberg.png
Přemyslid kings
NameLifespanReign startReign endNotesFamilyImage
Wenceslaus II of Bohemia
(1271-09-27)27 September 1271 – 21 June 1305(1305-06-21) (aged 33)High Duke: 1291
King: 1300
High Duke: 1300
King: 1305
Son of Ottokar II of Bohemia and Kunigunda of Slavonia. Married Przemysł II's daughter Elisabeth Richeza of Poland. Also King of Bohemia Přemyslid Vaclav2 trun.jpg
Wenceslaus III of Bohemia
(1289-10-06)6 October 1289 – 4 August 1306(1306-08-04) (aged 16)13051306Son of Wenceslaus II and Judith of Habsburg. Uncrowned. AssassinatedPřemyslid Vaclav3 pecet.jpg

Reunited Kingdom of Poland, 1314–1569

Piast kings

NameLifespanReign startReign endNotesFamilyImage
Władysław I the Elbow-high
  • Polish: Władysław I Łokietek
1261 – 2 March 133313201333Restored. Reunited the Kingdom of Poland Piast Wladyslaw I sarcophagus figure.jpg
Casimir III the Great
(1310-04-30)30 April 1310 – 5 November 1370(1370-11-05) (aged 60)13331370Son of Władysław I the Elbow-high and Jadwiga of Kalisz. Regarded as one of the greatest Polish monarchsPiast Kazimierz III sarcophagus figure.jpg

Anjou kings

NameLifespanReign startReign endNotesFamilyImage
Louis I of Hungary
(1326-03-05)5 March 1326 – 10 September 1382(1382-09-10) (aged 56)13701382Son of Charles I of Hungary and Elizabeth of Poland. Nephew of Casimir III. Elected king and crowned on 17 November. Also King of Hungary Anjou Louis I (Chronicon Pictum).jpg
Jadwiga of Poland
  • Polish: Jadwiga Andegaweńska
1373/4 – 17 July 139916 October 138417 July 1399Daughter of Louis I and Elizabeth of Bosnia. Crowned king to emphasise her monarchical status, 1384. Reigned jointly with her husband Władysław II Jagiełło from 1386Anjou Jadwiga Andegawenska seal 1386.PNG

Jagiellonian kings

NameLifespanReign startReign endNotesFamilyImage
Władysław II Jagiełło
  • King of Poland Koronamala.png
    King of Poland
    King
ca. 1351/1362 – (1434-06-01)1 June 14344 March 13861 June 1434Son of Algirdas of Lithuania and Uliana of Tver. Grand Duke of Lithuania, 1377-1434. Reigned jointly with his wife Jadwiga till 1399. Longest-reigning King of Poland Jagiellonian Jogaila (Wladyslaw II).jpg
Władysław III of Poland
  • Władysław III of Varna, Władysław Warneńczyk
  • King of Poland Koronamala.png
    King of Poland
    King
(1424-10-31)31 October 1424 – 10 November 1444(1444-11-10) (aged 20)25 July 143410 November 1444Son of Władysław II Jagiełło and Sophia of Halshany. Also king of Hungary, as Ulászló I. Fell at the Battle of Varna, in Bulgaria, hence called "of Varna"Jagiellonian Wladyslaw Warnenczyk seal 1438 (cropped).PNG
Casimir IV Jagiellon
  • Kazimierz IV Jagiellończyk
  • King of Poland Koronamala.png
    King of Poland
    King
(1427-11-30)30 November 1427 - 7 June 1492(1492-06-07) (aged 64)25 June 14477 June 1492Son of Władysław II and Sophia of Halshany. Also Grand Duke of Lithuania, 1440–92. His successful reign ended in the final destruction of the Teutonic Knights.Jagiellonian Kazimier Jagajlavic. Kazimer Iagailavich (1645).jpg
John I Albert
  • Jan I Olbracht
  • King of Poland Koronamala.png
    King of Poland
    King
(1459-12-27)27 December 1459 – 17 June 1501(1501-06-17) (aged 41)23 September 149216 June 1501Son of Casimir IV and Elisabeth of Austria Jagiellonian PL Gloger-Encyklopedja staropolska ilustrowana T.4 454a.jpg
Alexander I Jagiellon
  • Aleksander I Jagiellończyk
  • King of Poland Koronamala.png
    King of Poland
    King
(1461-08-05)5 August 1461 – 19 August 1506(1506-08-19) (aged 45)12 December 150119 August 1506Son of Casimir IV and Elisabeth of Austria. Also Grand Duke of Lithuania, 1492-1506Jagiellonian Goraj Miracle of Saint Simeon Stylites (detail).jpg
Sigismund I the Old
  • Zygmunt I Stary
  • King of Poland Koronamala.png
    King of Poland
    King
(1467-01-01)1 January 1467 – 1 April 1548(1548-04-01) (aged 81)8 December 15061 April 1548Son of Casimir IV and Elisabeth of Austria. Also Grand Duke of Lithuania. Forced Prussian Homage in 1525. Annexed the Duchy of Masovia in 1526. Entered an alliance with Maximilian I, Holy Roman EmperorJagiellonian Kulmbach Sigismund I the Old.jpg
Sigismund II Augustus
  • Zygmunt II August
  • King of Poland Koronamala.png
    King of Poland
    King
(1520-08-01)1 August 1520 – 7 July 1572(1572-07-07) (aged 51)1 April 15487 July 1572Son of Sigismund I and Bona Sforza. Also Grand Duke of Lithuania. Replaced the personal union of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania with a real union and an elective monarchy (Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth) in 1569Jagiellonian Cranach the Younger Sigismund II Augustus.jpg

Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, 1569–1795

NameLifespanReign startReign endNotesFamilyImage
Henry de Valois
  • Henryk Walezy
  • King of Poland Koronamala.png
    King of Poland
    King
(1551-09-19)19 September 1551 – 2 August 1589(1589-08-02) (aged 37)21 February 157412 May 1575Son of Henry II of France and Catherine de' Medici. Abandoned the Polish throne three months after his coronation in order to become King of France Valois Quesnel Henry III of France in Polish hat.jpg
Anna
  • Anna Jagiellonka
  • King of Poland Koronamala.png
    King of Poland
    King [2]
(1523-10-18)18 October 1523 – 9 September 1596(1596-09-09) (aged 72)15 December 157512 December 1586Daughter of Sigismund I and Bona Sforza. Reigned together with her husband Stephen Báthory Jagiellonian Kober Anna Jagiellon in coronation robes.jpg
Stephen Báthory
  • Stefan Batory
  • King of Poland Koronamala.png
    King of Poland
    King
(1533-09-27)27 September 1533 – 12 December 1586(1586-12-12) (aged 53)15 December 157512 December 1586Son of Stephen VIII Báthory and Catherine Telegdi. Prince of Transylvania. Reigned together with his wife Anna Báthory Anonymous Stephen Bathory (detail) 01.jpg
Sigismund III
  • Zygmunt III Waza
  • King of Poland Koronamala.png
    King of Poland
    King
20 June 1566 – 30 April 1632(1632-04-30) (aged 65)18 September 158719 April 1632Grandson of Sigismund I. Son of John III of Sweden and Catherine Jagiellon. Also King of Sweden 1592-1599, titular King 1599–1632. During his reign Polish troops captured Moscow. Moved the capital from Kraków to Warsaw Vasa Soutman Sigismund III Vasa in coronation robes.jpg
Władysław IV
  • Władysław IV Waza
  • King of Poland Koronamala.png
    King of Poland
    King
9 June 1595 – 20 May 1648(1648-05-20) (aged 52)8 November 163220 May 1648Son of Sigismund III and Anne of Austria. Titular Tsar of Russia 1610–1634, titular King of Sweden 1632–1648Vasa Rubens Wladyslaw Vasa.jpg
John II Casimir
  • Jan II Kazimierz
  • King of Poland Koronamala.png
    King of Poland
    King
(1609-03-22)22 March 1609 – 16 December 1672(1672-12-16) (aged 63)20 November 164816 September 1668Son of Sigismund III and Constance of Austria. Titular King of Sweden 1648-1660. AbdicatedVasa Daniel Schultz - Portret krola Jana II Kazimierza Wazy.jpg
Michael I
  • Michał Korybut Wiśniowiecki
  • King of Poland Koronamala.png
    King of Poland
    King
(1640-05-31)May 31, 1640 – November 10, 1673(1673-11-10) (aged 33)19 June 166910 November 1673Son of a successful but controversial military commander, Jeremi Wiśniowiecki, and Gryzelda Konstancja Zamoyska Wiśniowiecki King Michael Korybut Wisniowiecki.jpg
John III
  • Jan III Sobieski
  • King of Poland Koronamala.png
    King of Poland
    King
(1629-08-17)17 August 1629 – 17 June 1696(1696-06-17) (aged 66)21 May 167417 June 1696Son of Jakub Sobieski and Zofia Teofillia Daniłowicz. Most famous for his brilliant victory over the Turks at the Battle of Vienna in 1683 Sobieski Schultz John III Sobieski.jpg
Augustus II the Strong
  • August II Mocny
  • King of Poland Koronamala.png
    King of Poland
    King
(1670-05-12)12 May 1670 – 1 February 1733(1733-02-01) (aged 62)15 September 169716 February 1704 (deposed)
24 September 1706 (abdicates)
Son of John George III and Anna Sophie of Denmark. Elector of Saxony as Frederick Augustus I, 1694–1733 Wettin August II the Strong.PNG
Stanisław I
  • Stanisław I Leszczyński
  • King of Poland Koronamala.png
    King of Poland
    King
(1677-10-20)20 October 1677 – 23 February 1766(1766-02-23) (aged 88)4 October 17058 August 1709Son of Rafał Leszczyński and Anna Jabłonowska. Yielded to Augustus II Leszczyński Stanislaw I Leszczynski of Poland.jpg
Augustus II the Strong
  • August II Mocny
  • King of Poland Koronamala.png
    King of Poland
    King
(1670-05-12)12 May 1670 – 1 February 1733(1733-02-01) (aged 62)8 August 17091 February 1733RestoredWettin August II the Strong.PNG
Stanisław I
  • Stanisław I Leszczyński
  • King of Poland Koronamala.png
    King of Poland
    King
(1677-10-20)20 October 1677 – 23 February 1766(1766-02-23) (aged 88)12 September 173330 June 1734
(deposed)
27 January 1736
(abdicates)
Restored. Defeated in the War of the Polish Succession. Became Duke of Lorraine until his deathLeszczyński Stanislaw I Leszczynski of Poland.jpg
Augustus III
  • August III Sas
  • King of Poland Koronamala.png
    King of Poland
    King
17 October 1696 – 5 October 1763(1763-10-05) (aged 66)17 January 1734
(in opposition)
30 June 1734
(effectively)
5 October 1763Son of Augustus II and Christiane Eberhardine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth Wettin Louis de Silvestre - Portrait of Augustus III of Poland (after 1733) - Google Art Project.jpg
Stanisław II Augustus
  • Stanisław August Poniatowski
  • King of Poland Koronamala.png
    King of Poland
    King
(1732-01-17)17 January 1732 – 12 February 1798(1798-02-12) (aged 66)25 November 17647 January 1795Son of Stanisław Poniatowski and Konstancja Czartoryska. Forced to abdicate when the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (a hereditary monarchy since May 3, 1791) ceased to exist Poniatowski Stanislaw II August Poniatowski in coronation clothes.PNG

Duchy of Warsaw, 1807–1815

NameLifespanReign startReign endNotesFamilyImage
Frederick Augustus I
  • Fryderyk August I
  • Duke
(1750-12-23)23 December 1750 – (1827-05-05)5 May 1827 (aged 76)9 June 180722 May 1815Son of Frederick Christian, Elector of Saxony and Duchess Maria Antonia of Bavaria. Duke of Warsaw. Designated as King of Poland by the General Confederation of the Kingdom of Poland in 1812 Wettin Frederick Augustus I of Saxony by Marcello Bacciarelli (ca 1808-1809).png

Republic of Poland (1918–1939)

Chief of State

PortraitName
(Birth–Death)
Entered officeLeft officePolitical partyNotes
Jozef Pilsudski1.jpg Józef Piłsudski
(1867–1935)
14 November 191811 December 1922 Independent Provisional Chief of State until 1918

President of the Republic

PortraitName
(Birth–Death)
Entered officeLeft officePolitical partyElectionNotes
1 Portret Narutowicz (cropped).jpg Gabriel Narutowicz
(1865–1922)
11 December 192216 December 1922
(Died in office)
Independent
supported by
Polish People's Party "Wyzwolenie"
Dec 1922 (I) First President of Poland. Assassinated after only 5 days in office
Rataj.jpg Maciej Rataj
(1884–1940)
Acting President
16 December 192222 December 1922 Polish People's Party "Piast" Marshal of the Sejm
2 Stanislaw Wojciechowski. Fotografia portretowa..jpg Stanisław Wojciechowski
(1869–1953)
22 December 192214 May 1926
(Deposed)
Polish People's Party "Piast" Dec 1922 (II)Deposed in the May Coup by Marshal Józef Piłsudski
Rataj.jpg Maciej Rataj
(1884–1940)
Acting President
14 May 19264 June 1926Polish People's Party "Piast"Marshal of the Sejm
Jozef Pilsudski (-1930).jpg Józef Piłsudski
(1867–1935)
President-elect
Did not take office Sanation May 1926 Piłsudski was elected President by the National Assembly but declined to take office due to minor powers vested by the constitution.
3 Ignacy Moscicki (-1934).jpg Ignacy Mościcki
(1867–1946)
4 June 192630 September 1939SanationJun 1926Mościcki's government was exiled to Romania after Poland's defeat in World War II on 17 September.

Government of the Republic of Poland in Exile (1939–1990)

After the German conquest of Poland, a Polish government-in-exile was formed under the protection of France and Britain. The President of the Republic and the government-in-exile were recognised by the United Kingdom and, later, by the United States until 6 July 1945, when the Western Allies accepted the Communist-led government backed by Joseph Stalin. Despite having lost recognition by other governments, the government-in-exile continued in London until the election of Lech Wałęsa as President of the Republic of Poland in December 1990, upon which it handed over its formal powers and the insignia of the Polish Second Republic to President-elect Wałęsa in a ceremony at the Warsaw Royal Castle on 22 December 1990.

The sole internationally recognised president of the exiled government was Władysław Raczkiewicz, who took office after Ignacy Mościcki's resignation in September 1939.

PortraitName
(Birth–Death)
Entered officeLeft officePolitical partyNotes
1 Wladyslaw Raczkiewicz 1930.jpg Władysław Raczkiewicz
(1885–1947)
30 September 19396 June 1947
(Died in office)
Independent Raczkiewicz's government lost recognition by the Western Allies on 6 July 1945.
2 Bundesarchiv Bild 102-11032, August Zaleski.jpg August Zaleski
(1883–1972)
9 June 19477 April 1972
(Died in office)
IndependentFrom 1954 onwards, opposed by the Rada Trzech (Council of Three)
3 Stanislaw Ostrowski.gif Stanisław Ostrowski
(1892–1982)
9 April 197224 March 1979Independent
4 Edward Bernard Raczynski.jpg Edward Raczyński
(1891–1993)
8 April 19798 April 1986Independent
5 Sabbat.jpg Kazimierz Sabbat
(1913–1989)
8 April 198619 July 1989
(Died in office)
Independent
6 Ryszard Kaczorowski 2008.JPG Ryszard Kaczorowski
(1919–2010)
19 July 198922 December 1990IndependentKaczorowski resigned on 22 December 1990, upon the election of Lech Wałęsa as President of the Republic of Poland.

Polish People's Republic (1944–1989)

President of the State National Council

The Provisional Government of the Republic of Poland was founded under Soviet protection on 31 December 1944 and recognised by the United States and the United Kingdom since 6 July 1945. It evolved into the Government of National Unity on 28 June 1945, and eventually into the Polish People's Republic on 19 February 1947.

PortraitName
(Birth–Death)
Entered officeLeft officePolitical partyNotes
1 PL Boleslaw Bierut (1892-1956).jpg Bolesław Bierut
(1892–1956)
31 December 19444 February 1947 Polish Workers' Party

President of the Republic

PortraitName
(Birth–Death)
Entered officeLeft officePolitical partyElectionNotes
Portrait Franciszek Trabalski.jpg Franciszek Trąbalski
(1870–1964)
Acting
4 February 1947 Polish Workers' Party
Marszalek Sejmu Wladyslaw Kowalski.jpg Władysław Kowalski
(1894–1958)
Acting
4 February 19475 February 1947Polish Workers' Party Marshal of the Sejm
1 PL Boleslaw Bierut (1892-1956).jpg Bolesław Bierut
(1892–1956)
5 February 194720 November 1952Polish Workers' Party/
Polish United Workers' Party
1947 From December 1948, also Secretary General of the Polish United Workers' Party

Chairman of the Council of State

In 1952, the July Constitution abolished the office of president and made the Council of State the collective head of state, chairmen of which are listed below. Real power rested with the Polish United Workers' Party (PZPR), its Central Committee, and the secretary general/first secretary.

PortraitName
(Birth–Death)
Entered officeLeft officePolitical partyNotes
1 Aleksander Zawadzki 1.jpg Aleksander Zawadzki
(1899–1964)
20 November 19527 August 1964
(Died in office)
Polish United Workers' Party Died in office (cancer)
In accordance with the constitution, the vice presidents of the Council of State, Edward Ochab, Stanisław Kulczyński, Oskar R. Lange, and Bolesław Podedworny, became collegially acting heads of state.
2 Edward Ochab 2.jpg Edward Ochab
(1906–1989)
12 August 196410 April 1968Polish United Workers' Party
3 Marian Spychalski.jpg Marian Spychalski
(1906–1980)
10 April 196823 December 1970Polish United Workers' Party
4 Cyrankiewicz.jpg Józef Cyrankiewicz
(1911–1989)
23 December 197028 March 1972Polish United Workers' Party
5 Henryk Jablonski, The Chairman of the Council of State (Head of State) of the People's Republic of Poland 1972-1985.jpg Henryk Jabłoński
(1909–2003)
28 March 19726 November 1985Polish United Workers' Party
6 Gen. Wojciech Jaruzelski 13 grudnia 1981.JPG Wojciech Jaruzelski
(1923–2014)
6 November 198519 July 1989Polish United Workers' PartyAlso the First Secretary of the Polish United Workers' Party

First Secretaries of the Polish Workers' Party (PPR)/Polish United Workers' Party (PZPR)

Since 1954, the head of the party was also the Chairman of the Central Committee.

Name
(Birth–Death)
PortraitEntered officeLeft officePosition
Władysław Gomułka
(1905–1982)
Wladyslaw Gomulka 1960.jpg 23 November 194310 August 1948First Secretary of PPR
Bolesław Bierut
(1892–1956)
PL Boleslaw Bierut (1892-1956).jpg 10 August 194812 March 1956
(Died in office)
First Secretary of PPR to 16 December 1948;

First Secretary of PZPR from 22 December 1948

Edward Ochab
(1906–1989)
Edward Ochab 2.jpg 20 March 195621 October 1956First Secretary of PZPR
Władysław Gomułka
(1905–1982)
Wladyslaw Gomulka 1960.jpg 21 October 195620 December 1970
Edward Gierek
(1913–2001)
Edward Gierek 1980.jpg 20 December 19706 September 1980
Stanisław Kania
(1927–2020)
Stanislaw Kania -1979-.jpg 6 September 198018 October 1981
Wojciech Jaruzelski
(1923–2014)
Gen. Wojciech Jaruzelski 13 grudnia 1981.JPG 18 October 198129 July 1989
Mieczysław Rakowski*
(1926–2008)
Mieczyslaw Rakowski crop.jpg 29 July 198929 January 1990

Republic of Poland (1989–present)

President of the Republic

PortraitName
(Birth–Death)
Entered officeLeft officePolitical partyElectionNotes
Previous office
1 Gen. Wojciech Jaruzelski 13 grudnia 1981.JPG Wojciech Jaruzelski
(1923–2014)
19 July 198922 December 1990
(Resigned)
Polish United Workers' Party
(to 30 January 1990)
1989 Following the Polish Round Table Agreement between the Polish United Workers' Party and Solidarity, the Council of State was abolished. Its chairman was elected President of the People's Republic by the Parliament.
2 Lech Walesa (2019), FORUM 2000, Prague (2).jpg Lech Wałęsa
(born 1943)
22 December 199022 December 1995 Solidarity Citizens' Committee 1990 First president elected by popular vote
3 Aleksander kwasniewski konferencja (cropped).jpg Aleksander Kwaśniewski
(born 1954)
23 December 199523 December 2005 Democratic Left Alliance 1995 Member of the Sejm (1991–95). First President of the Third Republic elected twice
4 Lech Kaczynski.jpg Lech Kaczyński
(1949–2010)
23 December 200510 April 2010
(Died in office)
Law and Justice 2005 Senator (1989–91), Member of the Sejm (1991–93 and 2001–02), Mayor of Warsaw (2002-2005). Died in a plane crash
Bronislaw Komorowski (2).jpg Bronisław Komorowski
(born 1952)
Acting President
10 April 20108 July 2010 Civic Platform Marshal of the Sejm. Resigned as Marshal of the Sejm, and thus as Acting President, after being confirmed as the winner of the 2010 presidential election
Bogdan Borusewicz Kancelaria Senatu 2015.jpg Bogdan Borusewicz
(born 1949)
Acting President
8 July 20108 July 2010 Civic Platform Marshal of the Senate. Acting president for less than a day, between Komorowski's resignation as the Marshal of the Sejm and Grzegorz Schetyna being sworn in.
Grzegorz Schetyna Sejm 2019.jpg Grzegorz Schetyna
(born 1963)
Acting President
8 July 20106 August 2010Civic PlatformMarshal of the Sejm. Served as Acting President until Komorowski was sworn in as president as the result of the 2010 presidential election
5 Bronislaw Komorowski (2).jpg Bronisław Komorowski
(born 1952)
6 August 20106 August 2015Civic Platform 2010 Member of the Sejm (1991–2010), Marshal of the Sejm (2007–10); Acting President (2010).
6 President of Poland Andrzej Duda Full Resolution (cropped).jpg Andrzej Duda
(born 1972)
6 August 2015IncumbentLaw and Justice 2015 Member of the Sejm (2011–14), Member of the European Parliament (2014–15); Duda was the Law and Justice candidate in the 2015 election, but resigned his membership on 26 May 2015. Second President of the Third Republic elected twice

Timeline since 1918

Andrzej DudaGrzegorz SchetynaBogdan BorusewiczBronisław KomorowskiLech KaczyńskiAleksander KwaśniewskiLech WałęsaWojciech JaruzelskiHenryk JabłońskiJózef CyrankiewiczMarian SpychalskiEdward OchabAleksander ZawadzkiWładysław KowalskiFranciszek TrąbalskiBolesław BierutIgnacy MościckiStanisław WojciechowskiMaciej RatajGabriel NarutowiczJózef PiłsudskiList of heads of state of Poland

See also

Related Research Articles

These are lists of incumbents, including heads of states or of subnational entities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sejm</span> Lower house of Polands national legislature

The Sejm, officially known as the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, is the lower house of the bicameral parliament of Poland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prime Minister of Poland</span> Head of government of Poland

The president of the Council of Ministers, colloquially and commonly referred to as the prime minister, is the head of the cabinet and the head of government of Poland. The responsibilities and traditions of the office stem from the creation of the contemporary Polish state, and the office is defined in the Constitution of Poland. According to the Constitution, the president nominates and appoints the prime minister, who will then propose the composition of the Cabinet. Fourteen days following their appointment, the prime minister must submit a programme outlining the government's agenda to the Sejm, requiring a vote of confidence. Conflicts stemming from both interest and powers have arisen between the offices of President and Prime Minister in the past.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Polish United Workers' Party</span> Founding and ruling party of the Polish Peoples Republic from 1948 to 1989

The Polish United Workers' Party, commonly abbreviated to PZPR, was the communist party which ruled the Polish People's Republic as a one-party state from 1948 to 1989. The PZPR had led two other legally permitted subordinate minor parties together as the Front of National Unity and later Patriotic Movement for National Rebirth. Ideologically, it was based on the theories of Marxism-Leninism, with a strong emphasis on left-wing nationalism. The Polish United Workers' Party had total control over public institutions in the country as well as the Polish People's Army, the UB and SB security agencies, the Citizens' Militia (MO) police force and the media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">President of Poland</span> Head of state of Poland

The president of Poland, officially the president of the Republic of Poland, is the head of state of the Republic of Poland. Their rights and obligations are determined in the Constitution of Poland. The president heads the executive branch. In addition, the president has the right to dissolve parliament in certain cases, can veto legislation, represents Poland in the international arena, and is the commander-in-chief.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wojciech Jaruzelski</span> Leader of Poland from 1981 to 1989

Wojciech Witold Jaruzelski was a Polish military general, politician and de facto leader of the Polish People's Republic from 1981 until 1989. He was the First Secretary of the Polish United Workers' Party between 1981 and 1989, making him the last leader of the Polish People's Republic. Jaruzelski served as Prime Minister from 1981 to 1985, the Chairman of the Council of State from 1985 to 1989 and briefly as President of Poland from 1989 to 1990, when the office of President was restored after 37 years. He was also the last commander-in-chief of the Polish People's Army, which in 1990 became the Polish Armed Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Poland (1989–present)</span>

From 1989 through 1991, Poland engaged in a democratic transition which put an end to the Polish People's Republic and led to the foundation of a democratic government, known as the Third Polish Republic, following the First and Second Polish Republic. After ten years of democratic consolidation, Poland joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union on 1 May 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Polish government-in-exile</span> Government of Poland in exile (1939–1990)

The Polish government-in-exile, officially known as the Government of the Republic of Poland in exile, was the government in exile of Poland formed in the aftermath of the Invasion of Poland of September 1939, and the subsequent occupation of Poland by Germany, the Soviet Union, and the Slovak Republic, which brought to an end the Second Polish Republic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jan Olszewski</span> 3rd Prime Minister of Poland

Jan Ferdynand Olszewski was a Polish conservative lawyer and politician who served as the Prime Minister of Poland for five months between December 1991 and early June 1992 and later became a leading figure of the conservative Movement for the Reconstruction of Poland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Poland)</span> Poland Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the Polish government department tasked with maintaining Poland's international relations and coordinating its participation in international and regional supra-national political organisations such as the European Union and United Nations. The head of the ministry holds a place in the Council of Ministers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kazimierz Sabbat</span> Polish exile politician (1913–1989)

Kazimierz Aleksander Sabbat, was President of Poland-in-exile from 8 April 1986 until his death, 19 July 1989, after serving as Prime Minister of the Polish government-in-exile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Provisional Government of the Republic of Poland</span> Government of Poland from 1944 to 1945

The Provisional Government of the Republic of Poland was created by the State National Council on the night of 31 December 1944.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Provisional Government of National Unity</span> Government of Poland from 1945 to 1947

The Provisional Government of National Unity was a puppet government formed by the decree of the State National Council on 28 June 1945 as a result of reshuffling the Soviet-backed Provisional Government of the Republic of Poland established by the Polish Workers' Party through inclusion of politicians from the close political sphere of Stanisław Mikołajczyk, the former prime minister of the Polish government-in-exile based in London. Inclusion of the latter group provided an excuse for the Western allies to approve tacitly the fait accompli of Poland becoming part of the Soviet sphere of influence, and to legitimise the Warsaw government while withdrawing their recognition of the Polish government-in-exile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryszard Kaczorowski</span> Polish politician

Ryszard Kaczorowski, GCMG was a Polish statesman. From 1989 to 1990, he served as the last President of Poland-in-exile. He succeeded Kazimierz Sabbat, and resigned his post following Poland's regaining independence from the Soviet sphere of influence and the election of Lech Wałęsa as the first democratically elected President of Poland since before the Second World War. He died on 10 April 2010 in the plane crash near Smolensk, Russia, along with the President of Poland Lech Kaczyński and other senior government officials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prime Minister of Laos</span> Head of government of Laos

The Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, formerly the chairman of the Council of Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is the head of government of Laos. The highest position in the government, they direct the country's executive branch. The prime minister is accountable to the president, the National Assembly and the country's only legal party: the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP). The current prime minister is Sonexay Siphandone, who was elected in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerzy Jan Lerski</span> Polish lawyer and historian

Jerzy Jan Lerski ; was a Polish lawyer, soldier, historian, political scientist and politician. After World War II he emigrated to the United States, where he became a full professor at the University of San Francisco.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Embassy of Poland, London</span>

The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London is the diplomatic mission of Poland in the United Kingdom. It is located on Portland Place next to the High Commission of Kenya building. It forms part of a group of Grade II* listed buildings in Portland Place.

References

  1. dated around 700 by Marcin Bielski
  2. Anna was crowned King of Poland