Born: March 15, 1869, Kalisz, Prussian partition of Poland (presently Poland)
Died: April 9,1953, Golabki near Warsaw, Poland
Early days. He was raised in a family of educated people, whose nobility roots dated back to the 15th century. His father, Feliks Wojciechowski, was a warden of the Kalisz prison. Mother: Florentyna Vorhoff.
Higher education. Having completed in 1888 a secondary school, started studies at the Warsaw University.; during 1888-1891 studied at the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics. He belonged to the circle of the most active conspirators, participant of the secret student groups for self-improvement. Was member of the clandestine Polish Youth Union "Zet". Later, activist of the clandestine organization Workers' Union. He left Warsaw in 1892.
Founder of the Polish Socialist Party. Took part in the Paris Congress, and was founder of the Polish Socialist Party. Opposed the use of terror. In 1893 was arrested and expelled from France at the request of Russian Ambassador. From 1895 to 1899 stayed illegally in the country.
Marriage. In 1899 he married Maria Kiersnowska the daughter of a nobleman from Giedroycie. In 1893 participated in the founding Congress of the Polish Socialist Party in Wilno (Vilnius) where he met Pilsudski, with whom he made friends. Until 1905, they co-operated closely together, with Wojciechowski being at that time a member of the Party leadership.
Publishing "Robotnik". He and Marshal Pilsudski edited and published together the "Robotnik" ("Worker") bulletin. In 1906, benefiting from the transitional possibilities, he returned to the country, and having left the party, became a pioneer of the co-operative movement. He founded a weekly, which, following Zeromski's advice, he named "Spolem" ("Together"). During WWI, he went to Russia where, after the overthrow of the tsarist regime, he became the Chairman of the Polish Council of the Inter-Party Union in Moscow, which co-operated with the Polish National Committee in Paris. Was engaged in the creation of the Polish army in Russia.
Return to Warsaw. In 1918, threatened with arrest, he arrived to Warsaw and returned to his co-operative activity.
During the period 1919-1920 he was teaching cooperative studies in the High Trade School in Warsaw.
Minister of Internal Affairs. On 15 January 1919, the Chief of State nominated him Minister of Internal Affairs in the Cabinet of Ignacy Paderewski, whom Wojciechowski replaced during his numerous absences from the country. Participated in the drafting of the constitution.
Elected President. On 20 December 1922 elected President of the Republic by the National Assembly. As a result of the coup d'etat staged by Jozef Pilsudski on 14 May 1926 he resigned from the office. He continued however his activity in “Spolem”. He wrote several articles about cooperatives. In 1938 he also wrote “My Memoirs”. During WWII he lived in a small house in Ochota district of Warsaw. Died in 1953 in Golabki near Warsaw.
Based on the biography appearing at:
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Biography in Polish
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