Władysław Kowalski

Infobox Officeholder
name = Władysław Kowalski


imagesize =
small

caption =
order = 1^st Sejm Marshal of the Communist Poland
term_start = February 4, 1947
term_end = November 19, 1952
vicepresident =
viceprimeminister =
deputy =
president = Bolesław Bierut
primeminister =
predecessor = State National Council
successor = Jan Dembowski
order2 = Acting President of the State National Council
term_start2 = February 4, 1947
term_end2 = February 5, 1947
vicepresident2 =
viceprimeminister2 =
deputy2 =
president2 =
primeminister2 = Edward Osóbka-Morawski
predecessor2 = Franciszek Trąbalski (Acting)
successor2 = Bolesław Bierut (President of the Republic)
birth_date = August 26, 1894
birth_place = Paprotnia, then Russian Empire, now Poland
death_date = December 14, 1958
death_place = Warsaw, People's Republic of Poland
constituency =
party = PSL, SL, ZSL, PPR
spouse =
profession = Writer, Journalist
religion =


footnotes =

Władysław Kowalski (August 26, 1894 – December 14, 1958) was a Polish communist politician, who served as Sejm Marshal during first Sejm of the Communist Poland (1947 – 1952) and, "ex officio", as the head of state (Acting President of the State National Council) for one day (February 4 – February 5, 1947). He was also a publisher and writer.

He was also know under pseudonyms "Sałas", "Bartłomiej Zarychta" and "Stanisławski".

Kowalski was born in a small village of Paprotnia near Rawa Mazowiecka (then Russian Empire, now Poland) as a son of farm worker. Because of his family poverty he graduated just three school grades and later became an autodidactic.

Before he became a communist, he was member of various peasants parties, such as PSL Wyzwolenie (since 1918), Peasant's Independent Party (1925-1927), United People's Left "Samopomoc" (1927-1931) and Stronnictwo Ludowe (1944-1949 - various factions).

He was also an active member of communist parties KPP (since 1928) and PPR (since 1942).

Kowalski was a longtime member of parties leaderships:
* 1926-1927: Member of the Central Committee of the PIP
* 1944-1945: Vice President of the SL "Wola"
* 1945-1949: Member of the Supreme Council of the SL
* 1948-1949: SL Leader
* Since 1949: Member of the Zjednoczone Stronnictwo Ludowe leadership and, from 1949 to 1956 Chairman of the Committee

During World War I he fought in the Russian Army and later in Pulaski Legion. From 1918 to 1939 he was an active publisher and writer. During World War II he was a member of resistance.

After War he was a Minister of Culture (1945-1947) and member and Vice President of the State National Council.

He was an author of novels, articles and poems. He published following novels: Chłopi z Marchat (1930), W Grzmiącej (1936), Rodzina Mianowskich (1938) oraz opowiadań Dalekie i bliskie (1948), Bunt w Starym Łęku (1951), Bestia (1951), Wino (1966).