Adam Jerzy Czartoryski
Adam Jerzy Czartoryski (Polish pronunciation: [ˈadam ˈjɛʐɨ t͡ʂartɔˈrɨskʲi]; Lithuanian: Аdomas Jurgis Čartoriskis; 14 January 1770 – 15 July 1861), in English known as Adam George Czartoryski, was a Polish nobleman, statesman, diplomat and author.
Prince Adam Jerzy Czartoryski | |
|---|---|
Czartoryski photographed by Nadar, 1861 | |
| Foreign Minister of the Russian Empire | |
| In office 1804–1806 | |
| Monarch | Alexander I of Russia |
| Preceded by | Alexander Vorontsov |
| Succeeded by | Andrei Budberg |
| Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Russian Empire (de facto) | |
| In office 1804–1806 | |
| Monarch | Alexander I of Russia |
| Preceded by | Alexander Vorontsov |
| Succeeded by | Andrei Budberg |
| 1st President of the Polish National Government | |
| In office 3 December 1830 – 15 August 1831 | |
| Preceded by | None |
| Succeeded by | Jan Krukowiecki |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 14 January 1770 Warsaw, Poland |
| Died | 15 July 1861 (aged 91) Montfermeil, France |
| Spouse | Anna Zofia Sapieha |
| Children | Witold Czartoryski Władysław Czartoryski Izabella Elżbieta Czartoryska |
| Parent(s) | Adam Kazimierz Czartoryski Izabela Flemming |
| Profession | Politician, diplomat, author |
The son of a wealthy prince, he began his political career as a foreign minister to the Russian Tsar Alexander I after Poland was partitioned by Russia, Prussia and Austria. He later became a leader of the Polish government in exile and a bitter opponent of Alexander's successor, Tsar Nicholas I. In exile, he advocated for the reestablishment of a sovereign Polish state, which also stimulated early Balkan and Belgian nationalism, and intensified their desire for independence.
Czartoryski was a dedicated patron of arts and greatly contributed to the Czartoryski Collection. In 1798, he purchased one of Poland's most important national treasures – Leonardo da Vinci's Lady with an Ermine, which he brought as a gift for his mother from Italy.