Wawrzyniec Styczeń

Wawrzyniec Styczeń (January 5, 1836 in Wola Drwińska near Bochnia – May 29, 1908 in Niepołomice) was a Polish social activist, lawyer, president of the Kraków branch of the Youth Club Sokół ("Falcon"), member of the Society of Appreciation of the History and Monuments of Kraków, and member of the Kraków City Council.

Styczeń came from a peasant family. He most likely began his studies in his native Wola Drwińska, and by 1854 attended the Saint Anne's gymnasium in Kraków. He graduated after five years. Between 1859 and 1863 he studied at the Faculty of Law of the Jagiellonian University. He finished his doctorate in Law in 1869.

Styczeń settled permanently in Kraków and purchased a house on Karmelicka street. He operated a successful law practice, and gradually acquired the reputation as "the most outstanding personality of the Kraków Bar". For many years he served as President of the Board of the Kraków Bar, and was also a member of the disciplinary committee of the Bar (within the Kraków National Court).

He was active in social work. After the establishment of the Kraków branch of the Youth Club/Athletic society "Sokól" in Kraków in 1885, he became one of its members and served as the president of the organization after the resignation of Michał Bałucki, in 1886. He also served as the vice-president of the Lwów chapter of the organization. Styczeń was instrumental in obtaining funds for and organizing the construction of the Sokól headquarters in Kraków, which opened up in November 1889 on Wolska Street. The building was expanded in 1894.

Under his leadership the athletic organization expanded to include, in addition to gymnastics, fencing, rowing, horse riding and cycling. Styczeń closely cooperated with the original Czech Sokol establishment . In 1894 the Kraków members participated in a national athletic exhibition in Lwów, and in June 1896 Styczeń helped to organize a three-day tournament and rally of the club with representatives from Galicia, Greater Poland, Czech lands and the United States. In 1894 the Kraków branch had 1,200 members, including doctors, land owners, merchants and artists. Due to disputes with other members of the organization, Styczeń stepped down as president in 1898 and was replaced by Władysław Turski.

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