ZAMOYSKI, JAN. — Polish nobleman, b. 1542, d. 1605. He received a thorough intellectual formation at Padua, where in 1563 he became “rector of the University of Jurists.”
His brilliant career began with the office of secretary to King Sigismund Augustus. In that capacity, he compiled a detailed inventory of the archives of the Kingdom, thereby acquiring a perfect knowledge of national tradition. During the three successive interregna following the extinction of the Jagiellonian dynasty in 1572, Z. succeeded in barring the Polish throne to Habsburg candidates. During the first interregnum, under his decisive influence, the Polish constitution was altered, creating a most noble democracy and considerably limiting the power of the King. Nevertheless, Z. collaborated closely with Stephen Báthory (1576–86), who gave him his niece in marriage and subsequently appointed him Grand Chancellor and Grand Hetman (supreme military commander), thereby entrusting him with the direction of political and military affairs. In 1587–88, he successfully championed the election of Sigismund III Vasa over his Austrian rival, but soon grew disillusioned with the new King, who aligned himself with the Habsburgs. A complete rupture between Z. and the King was averted mainly through the efforts of the Apostolic Nuncio; nonetheless, Z. remained until his death the leader of the opposition, though always within the bounds of legality. Moreover, he did not hesitate to assist Sigismund III in resolving the issue of religious union with the Ruthenians, as well as in defending the southern and eastern frontiers and Livonia. In his foreign policy, particularly in the project of an anti-Ottoman league and in Moldavian affairs, he was not always in agreement with the Holy See. Yet he was highly esteemed in Rome, where his outstanding qualities, his sincere devotion to the Church, and his role in the Catholic Restoration were greatly appreciated. An enlightened patron of Renaissance culture and himself a distinguished humanist deeply interested in educational matters, in 1594 he founded in his newly rebuilt city of Zamość the university that became a new center of Latin civilization in Eastern Europe.