Władysław Kowalski

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 Imperial Russian Army and later in the Puławy 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).