Bronisław Knothe (1881-1950) - nauczyciel, społecznik, polityk

Abstract

Bronisław Knothe was born in a patriotic family. He graduated from a Radom gymnasium in 1902. Then, he studied at the Philosophical Faculty of the Jagiellonian University. He obtained his teacher’s qualifications in 1907, having passed his final exams at the University of Warsaw. As he settled in Skierniewice, he started to teach the Polish language at the local “real gymnasium” (Polish Gimnazjum Realne). In the year 1914 he transferred to Łódź, where he worked subsequently in two schools. During this time, he began his intense engagement in social work in local organizations. After four years he wound up in Zagłębie Dąbrowskie (the Dąbrowa Coal Basin), where he participated in political life of the region, to eventually be elected as an MP in 1922. During his five‑year term, B. Knothe became a member of the PSL “Piast” party and at the same time published numerous press articles. In the year 1927 he settled in his family village of Ruszcza, where he administered a landed estate until 1944. Under the German occupation he was involved in underground activity. He died in 1950 in Kraków.