Polish

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Whether you savor the old world charm of Poland or totally swear by its Zubrowka Vodka or are simply mesmerized by its Oscypek, a kind of stunning-looking carved cheese, you will totally lap up reading more about the country’s rich and famous here. Agreed, for a country teeming with history and a heart-warming culture, it is not altogether impossible to get swayed. But besides all the amazing attractions that Poland boasts of, there is this incredible lot of people who have inspired greatness in the country. Be it Copernicus, Chopin, Marie Curie, Pope John Paul II, Robert Kubica or Joanna Krupa, Poland prides itself on its superlative lot of nationals who have inspired a world way beyond their country’s border. Let us delve deep into the lives of some of the famous Polish people to have ever walked the earth and get inspired as we trail their timeline, learn some interesting trivia and unearth some lesser known facts about them in these biographies.
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 1 
Marie Curie
(The First Woman to Win a Nobel Prize)
Marie Curie
107
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: November 7, 1867
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Warsaw, Poland
Died: July 4, 1934
Amongst the most notable scientists of her time, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the sole person to win two Nobel Prize in two different category, and the first woman professor at the University of Paris—Marie Curie’s list of achievements is incredible. She did extensive research in the field of radioactivity and discovered polonium and radium.
 2 
Robert Lewandowski
(One of the Most Successful Football Players in Bundesliga History)
Robert Lewandowski
51
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: August 21, 1988
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Warsaw, Poland

Considered one of the best football players in the world, Robert Lewandowski plays for Bundesliga club Bayern Munich and leads the Poland national team as its captain. Known for his exceptional goal scoring ability and striking skills, Lewandowski has earned several accolades including Polish Player of the Year title for eight consecutive years. Besides, he is also a venture capitalist.

 3 
Frédéric Chopin
(Polish Composer and Virtuoso Pianist of the Romantic Period)
Frédéric Chopin
21
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: March 1, 1810
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Żelazowa Wola, Poland
Died: October 17, 1849

Romantic Era virtuoso pianist and composer Frédéric Chopin, nicknamed The Poet of the Piano, is remembered as the inventor of the instrumental ballade. The legendary composer mostly created solo piano masterpieces but also experimented with piano concertos and chamber pieces. He was influenced by Bach, Mozart, and Polish folk music.

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 4 
Nicolaus Copernicus
(Polish Astronomer Who Proposed That the Earth Revolves Around the Sun)
Nicolaus Copernicus
17
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: February 19, 1473
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Toruń, Poland
Died: May 24, 1543

Nicolaus Copernicus was a mathematician and astronomer. He is credited with formulating Heliocentrism, which led to the Copernican Revolution. Although Aristarchus of Samos had formulated Heliocentrism 18 centuries earlier, Copernicus was responsible for popularizing it. Copernicus is also credited with formulating an economic principle, which was later called Gresham's law.

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 5 
Peter Schmeichel
(Football player)
Peter Schmeichel
47
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 18, 1963
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Gladsaxe Municipality, Denmark
 6 
Joseph Conrad
(Known for Short Stories and Novels Like Lord Jim, Heart of Darkness and the Secret Agent)
Joseph Conrad
7
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: December 3, 1857
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Berdychiv, Ukraine
Died: August 3, 1924

Joseph Conrad was a Polish-British writer. Considered one of the greatest English-language novelists of all time, Conrad is credited with bringing a non-English sensibility into English-language literature. Many of his works have inspired several films, TV series, and video games. His anti-heroic characters and narrative style have influenced many authors like Salman Rushdie, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and T. S. Eliot.

 7 
Mariusz Pudzianowski
(Polish Mixed Martial Artist and Former Strongman Competitor)
Mariusz Pudzianowski
11
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 7, 1977
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Biala Rawska, Poland
 8 
Joanna Jędrzejczyk
(Former Professional Mixed Martial Artist)
Joanna Jędrzejczyk
9
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: August 18, 1987
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Olsztyn, Poland
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 9 
Robert Kubica
(Polish Motorsports Racing Driver)
Robert Kubica
8
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: December 7, 1984
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Kraków, Malopolskie, Poland
 10 
Rosa Luxemburg
(Revolutionary Socialist, Marxist Philosopher & Anti-War Activist)
Rosa Luxemburg
12
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: March 5, 1871
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Zamosc, Poland
Died: January 15, 1919
Polish Marxist and socialist revolutionary Rosa Luxemburg was a member of parties such as the SPD, the USPD, and the KPD. Luxemburg was an anti-war activist and taught economics and Marxism at SPD's Berlin training center. She was assassinated by the Freikorps troops during the German Revolution
 11 
Wojciech Szczęsny
(Polish footballer)
Wojciech Szczęsny
10
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: April 18, 1990
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Warsaw
 12 
Władysław Szpilman
(Pianist Widely Known as the Central Figure in the 2002 'Roman Polanski' Film 'The Pianist')
Władysław Szpilman
8
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: December 5, 1911
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Sosnowiec, Poland
Died: July 6, 2000

Władysław Szpilman was a Polish pianist of Jewish descent. He was a popular performer on Polish radio and in concert in the 1930s. He was also a prolific composer. He survived the Holocaust and was the central figure in the 2002 Roman Polanski film The Pianist. His son, Andrzej Szpilman, is also a composer and music producer. 

 13 
Irena Sendler
(Polish Humanitarian & Social Worker)
Irena Sendler
14
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: February 15, 1910
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Warsaw, Poland
Died: May 12, 2008
Polish social worker and nurse Irena Sendler was part of the Polish Underground Resistance in German-occupied Poland, during World War II. She was arrested for smuggling Jewish children out of Poland but never revealed much about her work. She had received many awards, such as Israel’s Righteous Among the Nations.
 14 
Lech Walesa
(Former President of Poland)
Lech Walesa
8
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: September 29, 1943
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Popowo, Gmina Tłuchowo, Poland

Lech Walesa is a Polish dissident and statesman. From 1990 to 1995, Walesa served as the first elected president of Poland. A Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Walesa was adjudged Time Person of the Year in 1981. In 1999, he was named in the magazine's most important people of the 20th century list. 

 15 
Sebastian Janikowski
(American footballer)
Sebastian Janikowski
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 2, 1978
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Walbrzych, Dolnoslaskie, Poland
 16 
Stanisław Lem
(Polish Novelist Best Known for His Novel 'Solaris')
Stanisław Lem
4
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: September 12, 1921
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Lviv, Ukraine
Died: March 27, 2006

Stanisław Lem was a Polish writer who specialized in the science fiction genre. He was also a noted essayist who wrote on varied subjects, including philosophy, futurology, and literary criticism. His books, which have been translated into over 50 languages, have sold more than 45 million copies worldwide. He was the recipient of numerous awards and honors. 

 17 
Andrzej Sapkowski
(Polish Novelist and Economist Best Known for His Six-Volume Series of Books ‘The Witcher’)
Andrzej Sapkowski
4
Birthdate: June 21, 1948
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Łódź, Poland

Polish fantasy author Andrzej Sapkowski is best known for his widely translated iconic book series The Witcher, which has also been made into a Netflix series. While he initially studied economics and worked as a sales representative, he soared to fame with the short story Wiedźmin, which later became The Witcher.

 18 
Witold Pilecki
(Polish World War II Cavalry Officer, Intelligence Agent and Resistance Leader)
Witold Pilecki
11
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: May 13, 1901
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Olonets, Russia
Died: May 25, 1948

Known as prisoner number 4859 at the Auschwitz concentration camp, Witold Pilecki voluntarily got himself arrested to be sent to the camp, so that he could start an anti-Nazi resistance movement. He set up the underground campaign ZOW and was eventually able to escape. Nevertheless, he was executed by communists.

 19 
Joanna Krupa
(Actor, Model, Television Personality)
Joanna Krupa
8
Listed In: Fashion
Birthdate: April 23, 1979
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Warsaw, Poland
Apart from gracing the Maxim Hot 100 list, the Dancing with the Stars and The Real Housewives of Miami star Joanna Krupa also works actively for PETA. Now a mother, she was also in the news when at 35, she had decided to freeze her eggs.
 20 
Zdzisław Beksiński
(Painter)
Zdzisław Beksiński
0
Birthdate: February 24, 1929
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Sanok, Poland
Died: February 21, 2005
 21 
Arthur Rubinstein
(One of the Greatest Pianists and Chopin Interpreters of His Time)
Arthur Rubinstein
4
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: January 28, 1887
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Łódź, Poland
Died: December 20, 1982

Arthur Rubinstein was a Polish-American pianist counted amongst the greatest pianists of all time. He had an extensive career spanning eight decades, during which he earned much international acclaim. He played music performed by several illustrious composers and is especially remembered for his interpretation of Chopin’s music. Renowned pianists François-René Duchâble and Avi Schönfeld were his students. 

 22 
Ross Martin
(Actors)
Ross Martin
4
Birthdate: March 22, 1920
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Gródek, Poland
Died: July 3, 1981
 23 
Tadeusz Kościuszko
(Polish Military Engineer and Statesman)
Tadeusz Kościuszko
7
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: February 4, 1746
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Belarus
Died: October 15, 1817

Tadeusz Kościuszko was a Polish-Lithuanian statesman, military leader, and military engineer. Thanks to his participation in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth's fight against Prussia and Russia and his role in the American Revolutionary War, Tadeusz Kościuszko is widely regarded as a national hero in the United States, Poland, Belarus, and Lithuania.

 24 
Iga Swiatek
(Tennis player)
Iga Swiatek
6
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 31, 2001
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Warsaw, Poland
 25 
Arkadiusz Milik
(Polish footballer)
Arkadiusz Milik
6
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 28, 1994
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Tychy, Poland
 26 
Józef Piłsudski
(Prime Minister of Poland (1926 - 1928))
Józef Piłsudski
6
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: December 5, 1867
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Zalavas, Lithuania
Died: May 12, 1935

Józef Piłsudski was a Polish statesman and one of the most influential personalities in Polish politics post World War I. From 1918 to 1922, he served as the Chief of State. From 1926 to 1935, he was regarded as the de facto leader of the Second Polish Republic and was largely viewed as the father of Interwar Poland.

 27 
Karolina Kowalkiewicz
(Mixed martial artist)
Karolina Kowalkiewicz
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 15, 1985
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Łódź, Poland
 28 
Jan Blachowicz
(Mixed martial artist)
Jan Blachowicz
11
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 24, 1983
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Cieszyn, Poland
 29 
Ola Jordan
(British-Polish Model and Ballroom Dancer)
Ola Jordan
1
Listed In: Dancers
Birthdate: September 30, 1982
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Nasielsk, Poland

Ola Jordan is a British-Polish model and ballroom dancer. She achieved popularity after appearing on the popular TV show Strictly Come Dancing, where she competed from 2006 to 2015. In 2018, Ola Jordan became a judge on the Polish version of the show.

 30 
Krzysztof Kieślowski
(Film director, Screenwriter)
Krzysztof Kieślowski
5
Birthdate: June 27, 1941
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Warsaw, Poland
Died: March 13, 1996
 31 
Marcin Gortat
(Basketball player)
Marcin Gortat
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 17, 1984
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Lódz, Poland
 32 
Andrew Golota
(Boxer)
Andrew Golota
6
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 5, 1968
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Warsaw, Poland
 33 
Jadwiga of Poland
(Former Queen of Poland (1384 - 1399))
Jadwiga of Poland
3
Birthdate: 1373 AD
Birthplace: Buda, Hungary
Died: July 17, 1399

Jadwiga of Poland reigned over the Kingdom of Poland as its first female monarch from 1384 until her death in 1399. Regarded as one of Poland's greatest rulers, Jadwiga is often compared to Casimir the Great and Bolesław the Brave. Also remembered for her charitable activities, Jadwiga of Poland established new schools, hospitals, and churches.

 34 
Hubert Hurkacz
(Tennis player)
Hubert Hurkacz
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 11, 1997
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Wrocław, Poland
 35 
Izabella Miko
(Actress)
Izabella Miko
4
Birthdate: January 21, 1981
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Łódź, Poland

Polish actress, dancer, film producer and environmental activist Izabella Miko is noted for starring in the films Coyote Ugly and The Forsaken and in the music videos Mr. Brightside and Miss Atomic Bomb by The Killers. She debuted as film producer with Desert Dancer. She runs the eco foundation called EkoMiko and has a sustainable candle line called EkoMiko Candles.

 36 
John III Sobieski
(Military leader, Politician)
John III Sobieski
4
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: August 17, 1629
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Olesko
Died: June 17, 1696

Well-educated and well-traveled, John III Sobieski initially joined the Swedes as a soldier, in opposing Polish ruler John Casimir. He then switched to the Polish side. He gradually rose through the ranks to become a grand marshal and a grand-hetman, and eventually became the king of Poland.

 37 
Olga Tokarczuk
(Polish Writer Best Known for Her Novel 'Flights' and Winner of 2018 Nobel Prize in Literature)
Olga Tokarczuk
6
Listed In: Activists
Birthdate: January 29, 1962
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Sulechów, Poland

Olga Tokarczuk is a Polish writer and public intellectual. She is one of the most critically acclaimed authors of her generation in Poland. She was awarded the 2018 Nobel Prize in Literature, becoming the first female Polish writer to receive the honor. Her works have been translated into almost 40 languages. She is also a clinical psychologist. 

 38 
Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit
(Physicist, Inventor)
Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit
5
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: May 24, 1686
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Gdańsk
Died: September 16, 1736

Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit was a scientific instrument maker, inventor, and physicist. One of the most prominent and influential personalities of the Dutch Golden Age of science and technology, Fahrenheit is credited with many important inventions, including the mercury-in-glass thermometer and Fahrenheit scale. His inventions helped shape the history of thermometry. 

 39 
Morgane Polanski
(Known for Her Role in the TV Series 'Vikings')
Morgane Polanski
6
Birthdate: January 20, 1993
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Paris, France

Morgane Polanski is a French-Polish model and actress, best known for her portrayal of Princess Gisla in the historical fantasy drama TV series, Vikings. The daughter of filmmaker Roman Polanski and actress Emmanuelle Seigner, Morgane Polanski followed in the footsteps of her parents to establish herself in the entertainment industry.

 40 
Samuel Reshevsky
(American Chess Grandmaster)
Samuel Reshevsky
4
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: November 26, 1911
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Ozorkow, Poland
Died: April 4, 1992
 41 
Mateusz Kieliszkowski
(Athletics competitor)
Mateusz Kieliszkowski
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: August 12, 1993
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Słubice
 42 
Tamara de Lempicka
(Painter)
Tamara de Lempicka
5
Birthdate: May 16, 1898
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Warsaw, Poland
Died: March 18, 1980
 43 
Janusz Korczak
(Former educator, children's author, pedagogue)
Janusz Korczak
1
Listed In: Physicians
Birthdate: July 22, 1878
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Warsaw, Poland
Died: August 7, 1942

A reputed Polish doctor, Henryk Goldszmit was better known by his pseudonym, Janusz Korczak, which he used to write several children’s books. Apart from working as a pediatrician and a military doctor, he also owned a Jewish orphanage and stayed with the children while the Germans deported him and other staff to Treblinka.

 44 
Pola Negri
(Actress)
Pola Negri
2
Birthdate: January 3, 1897
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Lipno, Poland
Died: August 1, 1987
 45 
Sigismund III Vasa
(King)
Sigismund III Vasa
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: June 20, 1566
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Gripsholm Castle
Died: April 30, 1632

Sigismund III Vasa was the elder son of Swedish king John III Vasa. As the king of Poland and Sweden, he not only enjoyed prosperity but also tried to unite the two states, although he ended up creating conflicts between them. His lust for power also resulted in the Zebrzydowski Rebellion.

 46 
Konstantin Rokossovsky
(Soviet and Polish Military Officer)
Konstantin Rokossovsky
7
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: December 1, 1896
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Warsaw, Poland
Died: August 3, 1968

Konstantin Rokossovsky was a Soviet and Polish officer. One of the most important Red Army commanders during the Second World War, Rokossovsky also served as Poland's Defence Minister from 1949 to 1956. He also served as the Marshal of Poland and as the Marshal of the Soviet Union.

 47 
Joanna Pacula
(Actress)
Joanna Pacula
1
Birthdate: January 2, 1957
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Tomaszow Lubelski, Poland
 48 
Jerzy Dudek
(Polish footballer)
Jerzy Dudek
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 23, 1973
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Rybnik
 49 
Isaac Bashevis Singer
4
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: November 21, 1902
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Leoncin, Congress Poland
Died: July 24, 1991

Nobel Prize-winning Polish-American author Isaac Bashevis Singer is best remembered for his short stories and novels that mirrored Jewish life with a tinge of irony. Born into a family of rabbis, he got a traditional education and later became a journalist. His works include the iconic novel The Family Moskat.

 50 
Augusta Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein
(Queen)
Augusta Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein
1
Birthdate: October 22, 1858
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Lubsko, Poland
Died: April 11, 1921