Franciszek Dzierżykraj Morawski (2 April 1783 – 12 December 1861) was a divisional general in the Polish army, a minister of war during the November Uprising, poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright.
Franciszek Morawski was the son of Wojciech Morawski and Zofia Szczaniecka. He began his education in the family home, before continuing his studies in nearby Leszno and later still in Frankfurt, where he studied law. He worked for a time in the court in Frankfurt, and later became an assessor in Kalisz.
In November 1806, Morawski enlisted in Napoleon's honor guard in Poznań. He served as second lieutenant in 1st infantry regiment. The following year he fought in the Battle of Tczew, during which he was promoted to lieutenant. He fought in the Siege of Danzig and became captain. That same year, after the Siege of Kolberg in 1807, Morawski was decorated with the Knights' cross of the Virtuti Militari.
During the War of the Fifth Coalition he was aide de camp to general Stanisław Fiszer. Morawski commanded the 16th infantry division during the French Invasion of Russia. On 8 October 1812 he was promoted to colonel. Following Napoleon's eventual defeat, Morawski was dispatched to Denmark to find Polish prisoners of war.
From 5 February 1815 he served in the army of Congress Poland. Between 1820 and 1826, he commanded the 3rd brigade of the 2nd infantry division at Zamość. In 1829 he was decorated with the Order of Saint Stanislaus by Nicholas I of Russia.
At the outbreak of the November Uprising, Morawski found himself in Lublin. On 30 January 1831, he was named intendant general of the insurrectional army, and later became minister of war. He decommissioned on 11 September 1831 in protest against the negotiations being undertaken with Russia. However, he participated in them as a member of the Polish delegation. By Gen. Maciej Rybiński in Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki appointed as the representative for the arrangement. The negotiations were conducted with General Fyodor Berg, an envoy of Field Marshal Ivan Paskevich. He reported their course to the Sejm in Zakrętym and Słupno. At the War Council he voted to accept the terms of surrender. He was to be part of the delegation that was to go to Tsar Nicholas I. After the incident between General Jan Nepomucen Umiński and the commander-in-chief General Maciej Rybiński, he left Nowy Dwór, citing the dismissal of September 11, 1831. After the fall of the uprising, he took an oath of allegiance to Tsar Nicholas I and was exiled to Vologda.
In the second half of 1833 (summer) he returned and settled in Lubonia, where from 1834 he was engaged in economics and writing literary works. Morawski wrote poetry and plays, as well as fables. He was a prolific literary and theater critic, and feuilletonist. He translated various works, including those of Racine, Shakespeare, Byron. He died Lubonia, at the age of 78 (December 12, 1861). Buried in the church cemetery in Oporów.
Franciszek Dzierżykraj Morawski during 1850s. Note that he is wearing a different (third!) breast star of St. Stanislaus order.
