DEMBOWSKI JAN (1889 - 1963)
Marshal of the Polish People's Republic (PRL) Sejm of I term (20 November 1952 -
20 November 1956)
Born on 26 December 1889 in Petersburg, in an intelligentsia family. Died 22 September
1963 in Warsaw. Graduated from secondary school at Tambowo (1907), studied natural
sciences at Petersburg University (1908-1912) and at Biologische Versuchsanstalt in Vienna
(1914). A research employee at the M. Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology in Warsaw
(1919-1934). PhD 1921, doctor habilitowany in zoology 1922. Participated in the research
work led by the Marine Biological Stations in Ville Franche-sur-Mer, Naples, Bergen and
Woods Hole 1924-25. In 1926, he was offered the Chair of Biology at Warsaw University.
Educational authorities did not approve of his candidacy due to his support for the radical
social ideas. He lectured on biology at K. Kulwieć's School 1918-1930, zoology at the Polish
Free University 1920-1930 and the State Teaching Institute 1921-1930, systematic zoology
and parasitology at Warsaw University 1922-1934. Associate professor in 1934, and from that
year to 1939, he lectured on general biology at the Stefan Batory University in Vilnius. In
1940-41, he gave lectures on evolutionism at the Marxism-Leninism University at Vilnius. An
activist of the Union of Polish Patriots (ZPP) and a co-worker of the Institute of Experimental
Biology at the Medical Science Academy in Moscow 1944-46, as well as attaché for the
scientific affairs at the Polish embassy in Moscow till 1947. Full professor employed at the
University of Łódź 1947-52. The head of the Institute of Experimental Biology in Warsaw
1947-1961. President of the Polish Committee of the Defenders of Peace 1948-52. A member
of the Constitutional Committee of the Legislative Sejm from 26 May 1951. A co-founder and
a member of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN) 1951, president of PAN June1952-
December1956. Chairman of the State Awards Committee and a member of the International
Lenin Award Committee. Vice-chairman of the All-Poland Committee of National Front 1952
- 56. From N 1 constituency in Warsaw he was elected deputy to the PRL Sejm of
I term, whose marshal he was between 20 November 1952 - 20 November 1956. Deputy
chairman of the Council of State November 1952 - February 1957. An honorary member of
numerous universities and learned societies e.g. the Soviet Union Academy of Sciences, the
Hungarian Academy of Sciences. The author of over 120 scientific and popularised works on
experimental zoology and animal psychology. Received state awards of first degree for his
entire scientific activity in 1949 and 1955, awarded the Order of the Builders of the Polish
People's Republic 1954 among others.
Portrait of Jan Dembowski , 1989
- painted by Wiesław Garboliński
- oil, canvas, 100x81cm
- Sejm Library, Museum Department, cat. No MSP. 1230