Gabriel Narutowicz

Gabriel Narutowicz, b. March 17, 1865 in Telšiai (Polish: Telsze), Samogitia; d. December 16, 1922 in Warsaw; the first president of Poland.

Narutowicz was a professor of hydraulic engineering at the Technical University of Zurich, and directed construction of many dams in Western Europe. After Poland regained independence in 1918, he became involved in politics and served as minister of public works 1920-1921 and as minister of foreign affairs in 1922.

On December 9, 1922 the National Assembly elected him the first president of Poland and he was sworn in on December 14. As a socialist, he was heavily criticized by the National Democracy party and fatally shot on December 16, 1922 by that party's fanatical supporter, Eligiusz Niewiadomski, at a Warsaw art gallery after only two days in office. The president was buried in the Warsaw Cathedral.

See also: List of Presidents of Poland