Władysław Kowalski

Władysław Kowalski (26 August 1894 – 14 December 1958) was a Polish communist politician, who served as Sejm Marshal during the first Sejm of the Communist Poland (1947–1952) and, ex officio, as the head of state (Acting President of the State National Council) for one day (4–5 February 1947). He was also a publisher and writer.

He was also known by the pseudonyms Sałas, Bartłomiej Zarychta and Stanisławski.

Kowalski was born in a small village of Paprotnia near Rawa Mazowiecka (then Russian Empire, now Poland) as a son of farm worker. Because of his family poverty he graduated just three school grades and later became an autodidact.

Before he became a communist, he was member of various peasants parties, such as Polish People's Party "Wyzwolenie" (since 1918), Peasant's Independent Party (1925–1927), United People's Left "Samopomoc" (1927–1931) and People's Party (1944–1949 – various factions).

He was also an active member of the Communist Party of Poland (since 1928) and PPR (since 1942).