ZAMOYSKI, JAN. — Polish nobleman, born in 1542, died in 1605. He received a profound intellectual education at Padua, where in 1563 he became “rector of the University of Jurists.”
His highly brilliant career began with the office of secretary to King Sigismondo Augusto. In that capacity, he prepared a detailed inventory of the archives of the Kingdom, thereby acquiring a perfect knowledge of the national tradition. During the three successive interregnums following the extinction of the Jagellonian dynasty in 1572, Z. succeeded in barring the way to the throne of Poland to the Habsburg candidates. During the first interregnum, under his decisive influence, the Polish constitution was changed, creating a noble democracy and considerably limiting the power of the King. Nevertheless, Z. collaborated closely with Stefano Batory (1576–86), who gave him his niece in marriage and subsequently appointed him grand chancellor and grand hetman (supreme military commander), thus entrusting him with the direction of political and military affairs. Having successfully advocated the election of Sigismondo III Vasa in 1587–88 against his Austrian rival, Z. became estranged from the new King, who soon allied himself with the Habsburgs. A complete rupture between him and the King was chiefly averted through the efforts of the apostolic nuncio; nevertheless, Z. remained the leader of the opposition until his death, while always keeping within the bounds of legality. He did not, moreover, hesitate to assist Sigismondo III in resolving the problem of religious union with the Ruthenians, as well as in defending the southern and eastern frontier and Livonia. In his foreign policy, particularly in the project of an anti-Ottoman league and in Moldavian affairs, Z. was not always in agreement with the Holy See. Nevertheless, he was highly esteemed in Rome, where his outstanding qualities, his sincere devotion to the Church, and his role in the Catholic restoration were appreciated. An enlightened patron of Renaissance culture, and himself an eminent humanist deeply interested in questions concerning education, Z. founded in 1594, in his completely rebuilt city of Zamość, the University that became a new center of Latin civilization in Eastern Europe.