Ignacy Paderewski, Poland (1860-1941)
Pianist, composer, and statesman, who was prime minister of Poland in 1919, born in Kurylowka, Poland. In addition to music, Paderewski was also involved with politics. Throughout his life Paderewski was a staunch patriot. During World War I, he became a member of the Polish National Committee and was appointed its representative to the United States, where he urged President Woodrow Wilson to support the cause of Polish independence. Wilson included Poland's cause as the thirteenth of his Fourteen Points of 8th January 1918.
His international reputation and his efforts for his country in raising relief funds during World War I caused him to be chosen Prime Minister of the new independent Polish republic after the war. He retired and returned to music, but in 1939, he reappeared briefly in political life as chairman of the Polish National Council in exile.