Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski

Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski (20 September 1503 – 1572), known in Latin as Andreas Fricius Modrevius, was a Polish Renaissance scholar, humanist and theologian, called "the father of Polish democracy". His book De Republica emendanda (O poprawie Rzeczypospolitej) was widely read and praised across most of Renaissance Europe, influencing thinkers such as Jean Bodin, Hugo Grotius and Johannes Althusius.

Life Modrzewski was born in Wolbórz (also known as Woybor, Voibor, Woibor, Wojbor, Woyborz and Wolborz), near Piotrków Trybunalski, the son of Jakub Modrzewski (1477–1529). Modrzewski family belonged to the gentry (though some authors speak of impoverished nobility), bore Jastrzębiec coat of arms, and held the hereditary title of mayor (wójt/vogt/advocatus) of Wolbórz. After graduating from the Kraków Academy, he was ordained a vicar and served under Archbishop Jan Łaski (the Elder), and later under the Bishop of Poznań, Jan Latalski. From 1530 he was connected to the court of Jan Łaski the Younger, the Primate of Poland and nephew of the elder Łaski. Having lived for a time in Germany, where he studied at the Lutheran University he met Martin Luther and other early Protestant reformers in Wittenberg. He also took care of the library of Erasmus bought by Łaski.

From 1540 onwards, he served as the titular parish priest in Brzeziny and Skoszewy. include Victor Modrzewski, Polish President Lech Kaczyński and Princess Mathilde, Duchess of Brabant.

Quotes "Without laws there can be no true freedom." (Bez praw nie może być prawdziwej wolności.) "The peasant is not your slave, he is your neighbor."