Władysław Kowalski

Władysław Kowalski (26 August 1894 – 14 December 1958) was a Polish communist politician, who served as Sejm Marshal during the 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 (4–5 February 1947). He was also a publisher and writer.

He was also known by the 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 autodidact.

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

He was also an active member of the Communist Party of Poland (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 United People's Party 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 the resistance.

After the 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).