Tadeusz Kościuszko

Military engineer, Polish and American general, war hero of both countries. Tadeusz Bonawentura Kościuszko was born in 1746 in the Mereczów region. He studied at the Piarist College in Lubieszów. The property was to be inherited by his brother, which is why Tadeusz chose a military career. When King Stanisław August Poniatowski founded the Knight's School in Warsaw, Kościuszko joined it thanks to the Czartoryski family's support.

He was an outstanding cadet, so he additionally attended an engineering course. After completing the training, he remained in the facility as an instructor. In 1769 he went to France as a royal scholarship holder to continue his military education. He also studied painting there. After returning, he did not find employment in the Polish army, therefore he decided to look for a job abroad. Having learned about the war in America (the War of Independence of the United States), he set off overseas. On the spot, he was engaged to fortify military camps, which brought him considerable publicity (he built, among others, the West Point fortress). Congress recognized him as a hero, promoted him to general, and rewarded him with land and a large sum of money.

In 1784 he returned to Poland. He took part in the Polish-Russian war of 1792, after which he was promoted to lieutenant general. After Stanisław August Poniatowski joined the Targowica Confederation, he emigrated. He got involved in preparations for an armed uprising. In 1794, he made a solemn oath to the nation, leading the insurrection, known as the Kościuszko uprising after his surname. During the uprising, he issued the Połaniecki universal, ensuring the personal freedom of the peasants. Kościuszko was wounded in the Battle of Maciejowice and was captured by the Russians. Soon after, the insurrection collapsed. After being released in captivity, he went on a journey, first in Europe and then to the United States. After several months, he returned to Europe and settled in France. He died in 1817.