POTOCKI ALFRED JÓZEF (1822 - 1889)
Marshal of Sejm of the Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria of III term (6 April - 29
May 1875)
Born on 29 July 1822 in Łańcut, died on 18 May 1889 in Paris. He came from the aristocratic
family of a well-known Galician politician Alfred Potocki (1786 - 1862). Educated in the
country (Łańcut, Cracow and Krzeszowice), studied law at Vienna University, and was also a
student of polytechnic. He received the title of chamberlain in 1844 and was sent as attaché to
the Austrian embassy in London. On returning home in 1848, he got nvolved in politics, got a
seat (after Jerzy Lubomirski's resignation) from Łańcut to the Austrian Constitutional Sejm at
Kromieryż (December 1848). After the Springtime of Nations, he took to economic issues. As
the Łańcut ordynat (heir in tail), he was among the richest Galician landowners and
manufacturers. A moderate conservative, he assumed a loyal attitude and was one of the
initiators of an address of the East Galicia's gentry to emperor Franz Joseph with postulates of
internal reforms and an offer of agreement with the dynasty (1851). Adverse to the January
insurrection 1863, frequently criticised for his political activity by the emigration circles of
the Lambert Hôtel. In 1862, after the death of his father, Alfred Potocki, he became a
hereditary member of the Chamber of Lords, joined the Polish Club in the Austrian
parliament. He got a seat in the National Sejm in Lvov 1863 from the IV kuria (electoral
group) district (Leżajsk - Sokołów - Ulanów). In subsequent elections he won his electors'
support, running from rural communes districts - 1867 and 1870 Brzeżany and Przemyslany
districts, 1876 and 1883 Podhajce district. In sejm he delivered speeches several times,
petitioning or reporting on behalf of an administrative committee, pleaded the interest of
Galician landowners, did not agree to chair the sejm Right club, although he united its
'Podolian' and 'Stańczyk' factions. Minister of agriculture in Karl Auersperg's cabinet 1867 -
1870, and from 1870 - the prime minister. In that office he tended to relieve nationality
conflicts in the monarchy, but managed neither to achieve an agreement with the Czechs nor
enlarge Galicia's autonomy. After the dismissal on 4 February, he retired from big politics.
On Leon Sapieha's resignation, he was marshal for a short time 1875. On Florian
Ziemiałkowski's initiative, he was nominated governor of Galicia by the emperor on 24
November 1875. Keeping that post, he tried to strengthen conciliatory political forces in
Galicia, was in favour of the Polish-Ukrainian agreement, but strongly against panslavistic
influence, he opposed the increase of anti-Russian atmosphere as well. Emperor Franz
Joseph's visit in Galicia in 1880, arranged by Potocki, was a significant political success. Due
to his worsening health, he resigned the office (10 August 1883), but still sat in the National
Sejm and chaired the Central Electoral Committee in Lvov. A member of numerous societies,
social and economic organisations, a co-founder of the Academy of Skills in Cracow 1873.
Awarded the Iron Crown Order, the Golden Fleece Order, the Great Cross of Saint Stephen,
Charles III Order.
Portrait of Alfred Potocki, 1879
Painted by Jan Matejko
oil, canvas, 120,5 x 86 cm
National Museum in Cracow, cat. No II-a-522