Józef Boruwłaski
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Józef Boruwłaski (1739-1837) was a Polish-born dwarf who toured in European and Turkish courts. He was 71 cm (28 inches) tall.
Joseph Boruwlaski was born near Halicz in Poland in November 1739. Two of his five siblings were also short. The Starostin de Caorlix took a shine to the short boy and adopted him. After her marriage her acquaintance countess Humiecka took charge of Boruwlaski and took him to her estate at Rychty in Podolia.
When Boruwlaski was fifteen and 64 cm (25 inches) tall, the countess took him to Vienna, where he was presented to Empress Maria Theresa. Well-mannered Boruwlaski apparently impressed the empress so that she gave him a diamond ring.
Later the countess took him to Luneville to see ex-king of Poland, Stanisław Leszczyński. There he aroused the jealousy of Nicolas Ferry, the retarded court dwarf of the Leszczyński household who was nicknamed Bébé. On one occasion Ferry attacked Boruwlaski and tried to throw him into the fire; Leszczyński separated them and had Ferry whipped.
Next, in 1760, the countess took Boruwlaski to Paris, where he frequented the court in various masked balls and pageants. He also developed of habit of drinking nothing other than water and apparently keeping himself fit. He was reported to have reached 22 years of age and 71 cm (28 inches) in height.
The next stop was The Hague where he reportedly impressed the court ladies. On their road to Warsaw through Germany, Boruwlaski had a crush on an actress in a company of French comedians. His feelings were not reciprocated.
When Stanislaus II acceded to the throne of Poland, he took Boruwlaski under his protection. When Boruwlaski fell in love with the countess' new companion, Isalina Barbutan, the countess threw him out. King interceded on his behalf, gave him an allowance and with the royal backing he married Isalina.
Boruwlaski decided to take a new tour and left Warsaw November 1780 with his wife and royal letters of introduction. In Kraków Isalina gave birth to a daughter and they reached Vienna February 1781. In Vienna he was introduced to a British ambassador R. M. Keith who invited him to England. Meanwhile, Boruwlaski and his wife gave concerts in Vienna, playing his own compositions.
From Vienna they toured in Germany, Turkey and to the north. When they eventually decided to depart for England, their ship almost sank in a storm before it reached Margave. In London, Boruwlaski obtained patronage of Duke of Devonshire and was presented to future king George IV and eventually to the royal family. He used the title Comte (Count) Boruwlaski and organized subscription concerts. He also met the Irish giant Patrick Cotter.
In 1783-1786 he toured in Scotland and Ireland. The tour was so successful that the King of Poland withdrew his allowance. Boruwlaski returned to Poland for a while but soon returned and by July 1791 was touring again and in 1795 was again in Ireland.
Eventually Boruwlaski was getting old and accepted an offer to reside in Bank Cottage in Durham, England and purchased an annuity for his retirement years.
Józef Boruwłaski died in Durham, September 5 1837, at the age of 98. He is buried in Durham Cathedral.
A poem attributed to Boruwłaski:
Poland was my cradle, England is my nest, Durham is my quiet place, Where my weary bones shall rest.
