— conservative political thinker, politician, and philosopher.
Born on 13 July 1848. Studied law and philosophy at the University of Vienna. In 1871, earned his Ph.D. in philosophy and the next year graduated in law. After graduation, returned to his family estates in Podolia. Actively participated in public life, quickly gaining fame as one of the most colorful characters in the then Poland. In 1876, sat in the Diet of Galicia and Lodomeria in Lviv, becoming one of the leading representatives of the conservative current, the “Podolacs” community. During 1879‒1885 and 1895‒1909, member of the Imperial Council in Vienna, playing an important role in the operation of the Polish Circle (among others, held the position of its Vice-President during 1900‒1904 and 1907‒1909 and President during 1904‒1906). Valued by Franz Joseph I of Austria, who in 1898 appointed him secret advisor to the court. Minister for Galicia from 1906 to 1907. In 1907, awarded the Order of the Iron Crown, First Class. Spent his final years in Vienna. Despite his involvement in political life, he wrote a lot, proving his unusual versatility. He penned novels (Aurelian [1879] and Święty Ptak [holy bird] [1895]), dramas (for instance, Bohdan Chmielnicki [Bohdan Khmelnytsky] [1873]), translation of Sofokles’ and Shakespeare’s works, works on the history of art (Historia malarstwa we Włoszech [history of Italian painting] [1892]), history of culture (Ateny [Athens] [1878]), philosophy and political thought (Roztrząsania filozoficzne o podstawach pewności ludzkiej [philosophical reflections on foundations of human dignity] [1893]; Historia filozofii [history of philosophy] [1894]; Mesjanizm polski a prawda dziejów [Polish Messianism vis-a-vis the historical truth] [1902]; Dokąd nam iść wypada? [Where should we go?] [1910]). Published numerous articles in the daily press, including in Gazeta Narodowa (some of this articles were collected in the two volumes of Listy ze wsi [letters from the countryside] (1889 and 1890). Also involved in the work of cultural and social institutions of Galicia. Lectured at the University of Lviv, where he obtained the title of associate professor of philosophy, ethics, and aesthetics (1894) and in 1896 became an associate professor of aesthetics. His lectures and public lectures enjoyed great popularity. Died in Vienna on 23 March 1909. In 2017, the Centre for Political Thought published his Wybór pism [selected writings]. In the Polish Political Thought Classics Library reissued in one volume were his two books, Dokąd nam iść wypada? and Mesjanizm polski a prawda dziejów.