About Justus Ludwik Decjusz
Lived 1485 – 1545 (aged 59–60). Justus Ludwik Decjusz was a Polish diplomat, historian, economist, entrepreneur, writer and secretary.
Justus Ludwik Decjusz (, ; 1485–1545) was a Polish burgher and diplomat of German descent in 16th-century Kraków. He served as a finance minister and secretary to the Polish king Sigismund I the Old.
Originally from Alsace, Decjusz's career peaked with his appointment as the king's personal adviser and overseer of the royal mint. He was also the author of a widely circulated text "De vetustatibus Polonorum" (, On the Ancient Origins of the Poles), an early version of the Sarmatian myth about the origin of the Polish kings. He also wrote "Księga o czasach króla Zygmunta" (A chronicle of the times of Zygmunt), based on personal observation and experience, which has served as a widely used primary source on 16th-century Poland.
In 1528 Decjusz bought the villages Przegorzały and Wola Chełmska near Kraków (currently both are part of a suburb of the city Wola Justowska, named after him) and built a villa, designed by Italian architects. The work, finished in 1535, took seven years to complete. It became a meeting place for local residents of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds to discuss issues of the day, politics and religious matters. The practice is continued today by the Stowarzyszenie Willa Decjusza (Organization Decjusz's Villa), which is located in the building.
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Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Justus Ludwik Decjusz's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Justus Ludwik Decjusz?
Polish diplomat
When was Justus Ludwik Decjusz born?
Justus Ludwik Decjusz was born in 1485 in Wissembourg.
When did Justus Ludwik Decjusz die?
Justus Ludwik Decjusz died in 1545 in Kraków.
What was Justus Ludwik Decjusz's occupation?
Justus Ludwik Decjusz was a diplomat, historian, economist, entrepreneur, writer and secretary.
What nationality was Justus Ludwik Decjusz?
Justus Ludwik Decjusz was Polish.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Justus Ludwik Decjusz
· DBpedia: Justus Ludwik Decjusz
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Justus Ludwik Decjusz. https://biography.guide/justus-ludwik-decjusz/
MLA: "Justus Ludwik Decjusz." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/justus-ludwik-decjusz/.
Chicago: "Justus Ludwik Decjusz." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/justus-ludwik-decjusz/.
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