Tomasz Łubieński
Tomasz Andrzej Adam Łubieński | |
|---|---|
| Born | Tomasz Andrzej Adam Łubieński Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age Szczytniki near Kalisz, Poland |
| Died | 27 August 1870 (aged 85) Warsaw, Poland |
| Other names | comte de Pomian, Baron de l'Empire |
| Occupation(s) | Army brigadier general, senator, landowner, entrepreneur |
| Years active | 1801–circa 1850s |
| Known for | Military service during Napoleonic Wars and November Uprising; Polish industrialist and senator |
Tomasz Andrzej Adam Łubieński, comte de Pomian (born 24 December 1784 in Szczytniki near Kalisz – died 27 August 1870 in Warsaw), was a Polish army brigadier general, senator, landowner, and entrepreneur. Committed to Poland's independence, he allied with the French during the Napoleonic Wars, engaging in significant battles including Essling, Wagram, Dresden, Ulm, Leipzig, Hanau, and the crossing of the Berezina. His military merits earned him the title of baron de l'Empire from Napoleon. Subsequently, he participated in the November Uprising opposing Russian rule.
Early years
Hailing from an established Polish noble lineage, Tomasz was the son of Feliks Łubieński, count of Pomian and minister of justice in the Duchy of Warsaw, and Tekla Teresa Łubieńska née Bielińska, a poet and playwright recognized for historical dramas such as Wanda, królowa polska (1806) and Karol Wielki i Witykind (1807), as well as Polish renditions of works by Racine and Voltaire. He was the second child among ten siblings: Franciszek, Piotr, Jan, Henryk, Tadeusz, Józef, Maria, Paulina, and Róża.
At age six, Tomasz enrolled at the Academy of the Royal Cadet Corps, where his initial studies included languages, artillery science, and fencing before progressing to military engineering and fortifications. In 1801, he pursued further education in Vienna and later relocated to Warsaw under the mentorship of his uncle Antoni Protazy Potocki. He came under the influence of count Wincenty Krasiński, founder of the 'Society of Friends of the Fatherland,' although Krasiński chose not to engage in the November Uprising. In 1805, Tomasz married Konstancja Ossolińska (1783–1868), whose considerable dowry comprised estates near Chełm. The couple had two children: Adela (born 1806) and Napoleon Leon (born 1812).
1806-1825
When French forces entered Warsaw in 1806, Napoleon was welcomed by prominent Polish leaders. Driven by a desire to free Poland from Russian dominance, Łubieński and fellow Polish officers allied with the French military efforts. By 1807, the army of the Duchy of Warsaw numbered 31,713 infantrymen, 6,035 cavalrymen, and was equipped with 95 cannons. The formation of the Polish 1st Light Cavalry Regiment of the Imperial Guard took place at Mir, commanded by Colonel Wincenty Krasinski with squadrons led by Łubieński, Jan Kozietulski, Ignace Stolowski, and Henri Kamienski.
Following his role in the Pułtusk engagement, Łubieński was honored with the Légion d’honneur. In 1808, he participated in the final phase assault at the Somosierra. His regiment also served during the Peninsular War before returning to Paris in January 1809. On 5 April that year, he received elevation to Grand Officer of the Légion d’honneur. Throughout the 1809 campaign, Łubieński fought at both Essling and Wagram. In recognition of his bravery, Napoleon bestowed upon him the title of Baron de l'Empire along with a pension initially set at 4,000 francs and later increased to 6,000 francs. After retiring to Warsaw in 1810, he was awarded the order of Virtuti Militari. A conflict with regiment commander Krasiński resulted in his dismissal.
In early 1811, Łubieński joined the Legion of the Vistula (Legia Nadwislańska), which was renamed as the 8th Uhlan Regiment (8éme régiment de Uhlans), one of the largest Polish foreign legions during Napoleon’s era. His regiment marched through Berlin, Grudziadz, Wystruć, and Vilnius starting March 1812 as part of various campaigns.
While held in reserve under marshal Nicolas Charles Oudinot, Łubieński’s unit endured severe casualties while protecting French forces during their crossing at Berezina. He returned to Warsaw for recuperation at year-end 1812 and subsequently fought in battles at Dresden, Kulm, Leipzig, and Hanau throughout 1813. After being released from French service in January 1814, he assumed command as chief of the Polish army. Napoleon entrusted him with overseeing remuneration and subsidies for Polish troops. He was granted the second class of the Order of Saint Stanislas. Following Russia’s reassertion over Poland and disputes with Grand Duke Constantine Pavlovich of Russia, he was relieved from his command role in 1816.
Together with several brothers, Łubieński established the Łubieński Brothers company; their inaugural factory was founded in Warsaw’s Guzowska Ruda (present-day Żyrardów, Masovian Voivodeship) in 1827—the first industrial facility located within a rural setting. Between 1825 and 1828 he held office as justice of the peace for Chełm district and served as a senator in the Sejm from 1820 to 1825.
November Uprising
The November Uprising against Russian domination commenced on 29 November 1830, initiated by Polish forces. On 10 February 1831, Łubieński was appointed to lead the 2nd Cavalry Corps, which included 33 battalions and was equipped with 16 cannons. Following the First Battle of Wawer, he chose not to engage in combat despite receiving orders to do so, justifying his restraint by the significant numerical advantage held by Russian troops. Commanders Józef Chłopicki and Ignacy Prądzyński later accused him of treason due to his refusal to attack at Olszynka Grochowska. However, historical analysis has vindicated his decision as a strategic move to preserve cavalry strength without impacting the battle’s result.
On 1 June, Łubieński was elevated to the rank of lieutenant-general and appointed chief-of-staff, overseeing the organization and logistics for vital Polish urban centers. On 19 August, he confronted the Russian forces advancing on Warsaw under the command of Ivan Paskevich, who had replaced marshal Diebitch. Charged with ensuring supplies reached Warsaw while unaware of the full extent of Russian troop strength, Łubieński faced severe criticism from political adversaries who accused him of weakening the uprising.
Despite mounting tensions, he maintained diplomatic composure and on 28 September successfully orchestrated the removal of general Maciej Rybiński over suspicions of negotiating a surrender with Paskevich. Returning three days later, Łubieński discovered Warsaw had fallen; he and fellow generals were subsequently exiled to Russia. Drawing upon his military experience and political acumen, he secured an audience with Tsar Nicholas I of Russia in Moscow on 24 November 1831. Later, he served as a deputy in the Saint Petersburg diet from 1832 to 1834, advocating for his family’s commercial interests within the chamber of commerce and working toward reclaiming properties confiscated from insurgents.
Businessman
In the 1820s, Tomasz collaborated with his brothers to establish Bracia Łubieńscy SA, a diversified industrial enterprise engaged in steel manufacturing, sugar refining, textile production, railway development, and retail through a department store. In 1839, he traveled to London seeking investment capital for metallurgical projects. Between 1840 and 1841, he oversaw the construction of the Warsaw-Vienna railway line commissioned by Polish railway authorities.
Following the legal conviction of his brother Henryk for alleged banking fraud—resulting in a four-year prison sentence—Tomasz withdrew from active business life to Warsaw. There, he focused on safeguarding family honor by settling Henryk’s financial obligations with creditors. During his retirement, Tomasz assumed prominent positions such as president of "Resursa Kupiecka" (the chamber of commerce), member of the Chamber of Agriculture, and served as a Catholic conservative senator representing Stary Sącz.
Honours and decorations
- Baron de l'Empire (1810)
- Virtuti Militari (1810)
- Order of Saint Stanislaus 2nd class (1814)
- Commander of the Legion of Honour Légion d'honneur (1858)
- Médaille de Sainte-Hélène (1858)