Eugeniusz Romer
Encyclopedia
Eugeniusz Mikołaj Romer (3 February 1871 in Lwów (Lviv, Lemberg) - 28 January 1954) was a distinguished Polish geographer, cartographer and geopolitician, whose maps and atlases are still highly valued by Polish experts.
Born in the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, he graduated from a high school in Nowy Sącz
and studied history, geology, geography and meteorology at the Jagiellonian University
in Kraków
, also attending courses in Lwów and Halle (Saale). In 1894, Romer earned a doctorate in philosophy at Lwów University.
In final years of the 19th century, he went to Vienna
and Berlin
to broaden his knowledge of glaciology, geology and meteorology. Romer also went to Lausanne
, to study tectonics and morphology. In 1911 he became professor of Lwów University (in 1946 also of Jagiellonian University), later he was named professor honoris causa at the universities in Lwów, Poznań
and Kraków. In 1952 he became a member of Polish Academy of Sciences
In 1909 Romer went to Switzerland
, to study Alpine glaciers. Next year, he traveled to Asia, and in 1913 to Alaska
, to the Saint Elias Mountains
(where one of glaciers has been named after him). In 1916, while in Vienna, Romer started work on the Great Statistical and Geographical Atlas of Poland. This atlas, published in Vienna in 1916, was crucial with establishing borders of the Second Polish Republic
. He was a member of the Polish delegation at the Paris Peace Conference, 1919
, helping with drawing western border of Poland. A second edition of his Atlas was published in Lwów and Warsaw in 1921.
In 1921 in Lwów Romer founded Cartigraphical Institute Ksiaznica-Atlas, which was after World War II
moved to Wrocław and which still exists today. In 1929 he decided to retire, concentrating his activities on the Institute. However, he kept close ties with Lwów's Jan Kazimierz University, lecturing and examining.
In 1941, when Lwów was captured by the Germans
, he hid in a monastery at Piekarska Street and this decision probably saved his life (see: Massacre of Lwów professors
). Soon afterwards, the Home Army decided to move him to Warsaw, from where he was to be transferred to England
, to work as an advisor of the Polish Government-in-Exile. However, doctors recommended that Romer should stay in the occupied country, as the journey was too risky for his weak health. Thus, he remained in Warsaw, using fake name Edmund Piotrowski. Romer survived the Warsaw Uprising
and the camp in Pruszków
.
After the war, he settled in Kraków, taking post of director of Department of Geography at the Jagiellonian University. Since 1899, he had been married to Jadwiga Rossknecht, daughter of co-owner of the Okocim Brewery. They had two sons: Witold Romer (1900–1967), professor of the Wrocław University of Technology and Edmund Romer (1904–1988), professor of the Silesian University of Technology
in Gliwice
.
Eugeniusz Romer died 1954 in Kraków and was buried at the Salwator Cemetery.
Born in the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, he graduated from a high school in Nowy Sącz
Nowy Sacz
Nowy Sącz is a town in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship in southern Poland. It is the district capital of Nowy Sącz County, but is not included within the powiat.-Names:...
and studied history, geology, geography and meteorology at the Jagiellonian University
Jagiellonian University
The Jagiellonian University was established in 1364 by Casimir III the Great in Kazimierz . It is the oldest university in Poland, the second oldest university in Central Europe and one of the oldest universities in the world....
in Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
, also attending courses in Lwów and Halle (Saale). In 1894, Romer earned a doctorate in philosophy at Lwów University.
In final years of the 19th century, he went to Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
and Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
to broaden his knowledge of glaciology, geology and meteorology. Romer also went to Lausanne
Lausanne
Lausanne is a city in Romandy, the French-speaking part of Switzerland, and is the capital of the canton of Vaud. The seat of the district of Lausanne, the city is situated on the shores of Lake Geneva . It faces the French town of Évian-les-Bains, with the Jura mountains to its north-west...
, to study tectonics and morphology. In 1911 he became professor of Lwów University (in 1946 also of Jagiellonian University), later he was named professor honoris causa at the universities in Lwów, Poznań
Poznan
Poznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be...
and Kraków. In 1952 he became a member of Polish Academy of Sciences
Polish Academy of Sciences
The Polish Academy of Sciences, headquartered in Warsaw, is one of two Polish institutions having the nature of an academy of sciences.-History:...
In 1909 Romer went to Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, to study Alpine glaciers. Next year, he traveled to Asia, and in 1913 to Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
, to the Saint Elias Mountains
Saint Elias Mountains
The Saint Elias Mountains are a subgroup of the Pacific Coast Ranges, located in southeastern Alaska in the United States, southwestern Yukon and the very far northwestern part of British Columbia in Canada. The range spans Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in the USA and Kluane...
(where one of glaciers has been named after him). In 1916, while in Vienna, Romer started work on the Great Statistical and Geographical Atlas of Poland. This atlas, published in Vienna in 1916, was crucial with establishing borders of the Second Polish Republic
Second Polish Republic
The Second Polish Republic, Second Commonwealth of Poland or interwar Poland refers to Poland between the two world wars; a period in Polish history in which Poland was restored as an independent state. Officially known as the Republic of Poland or the Commonwealth of Poland , the Polish state was...
. He was a member of the Polish delegation at the Paris Peace Conference, 1919
Paris Peace Conference, 1919
The Paris Peace Conference was the meeting of the Allied victors following the end of World War I to set the peace terms for the defeated Central Powers following the armistices of 1918. It took place in Paris in 1919 and involved diplomats from more than 32 countries and nationalities...
, helping with drawing western border of Poland. A second edition of his Atlas was published in Lwów and Warsaw in 1921.
In 1921 in Lwów Romer founded Cartigraphical Institute Ksiaznica-Atlas, which was after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
moved to Wrocław and which still exists today. In 1929 he decided to retire, concentrating his activities on the Institute. However, he kept close ties with Lwów's Jan Kazimierz University, lecturing and examining.
In 1941, when Lwów was captured by the Germans
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, he hid in a monastery at Piekarska Street and this decision probably saved his life (see: Massacre of Lwów professors
Massacre of Lwów professors
In July 1941, 25 Polish academics from the city of Lwów, Poland ; now in Ukraine) were killed by Nazi German occupation forces along with their families and guests...
). Soon afterwards, the Home Army decided to move him to Warsaw, from where he was to be transferred to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, to work as an advisor of the Polish Government-in-Exile. However, doctors recommended that Romer should stay in the occupied country, as the journey was too risky for his weak health. Thus, he remained in Warsaw, using fake name Edmund Piotrowski. Romer survived the Warsaw Uprising
Warsaw Uprising
The Warsaw Uprising was a major World War II operation by the Polish resistance Home Army , to liberate Warsaw from Nazi Germany. The rebellion was timed to coincide with the Soviet Union's Red Army approaching the eastern suburbs of the city and the retreat of German forces...
and the camp in Pruszków
Pruszków
Pruszków is a town in central Poland, situated in the Masovian Voivodeship since 1999. It was previously in Warszawa Voivodeship . Pruszków is the capital of Pruszków County, located along the western edge of the Warsaw urban area...
.
After the war, he settled in Kraków, taking post of director of Department of Geography at the Jagiellonian University. Since 1899, he had been married to Jadwiga Rossknecht, daughter of co-owner of the Okocim Brewery. They had two sons: Witold Romer (1900–1967), professor of the Wrocław University of Technology and Edmund Romer (1904–1988), professor of the Silesian University of Technology
Silesian University of Technology
Silesian University of Technology is a university located in Gliwice, Silesia, Poland. It was founded in 1945 by Polish professors of the Lwow Polytechnic, who were forced to leave their native city and move to the Recovered Territories .The Silesian University of Technology has 12...
in Gliwice
Gliwice
Gliwice is a city in Upper Silesia in southern Poland, near Katowice. Gliwice is the west district of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union – a metropolis with a population of 2 million...
.
Eugeniusz Romer died 1954 in Kraków and was buried at the Salwator Cemetery.
Sources
- http://www.lwow.home.pl/semper/romer.html
- http://www.pgi.gov.pl/muzeum/poczet/Eugeniusz_Romer/eugeniusz_romer.html
- http://www.muzeum-polskie.org/muzeum/w-18-21-eng.htm
- http://portalwiedzy.onet.pl/63522,,,,romer_eugeniusz,haslo.html