Stanisław II Augustus (also Stanisław August Poniatowski; born Stanisław Antoni Poniatowski), was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1764 to 1795, and the last monarch of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.
A great patron of the arts and sciences, he initiated some progressive reforms, but is also remembered as the king whose election was instigated by Russia. A controversial figure in Poland's history, he is criticized primarily for his failure to stand against and prevent the partitions, which led to the destruction of the Polish state.Stanisław II Augustus (also Stanisław August Poniatowski; born Stanisław Antoni Poniatowski), was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1764 to 1795, and the last monarch of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.
A great patron of the arts and sciences, he initiated some progressive reforms, but is also remembered as the king whose election was instigated by Russia. A controversial figure in Poland's history, he is criticized primarily for his failure to stand against and prevent the partitions, which led to the destruction of the Polish state....more