Maciej Dziewoński (died May 31, 1794) was a Polish
priest
A priest is a religious leader authorized to perform the sacred rituals of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and one or more deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in partic ...
, noted for his opposition to the
Kościuszko Uprising and his espionage for the
Russia
Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is the largest country in the world, with its internationally recognised territory covering , and encompassing one-eig ...
ns.
Dziewoński spoke openly against the uprising and had close ties to the number of
Russia
Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is the largest country in the world, with its internationally recognised territory covering , and encompassing one-eig ...
n Army officers, primarily
major Ignacy Parczewski, who dated his sister, Salomea.
Dziewoński informed the Russian military about the situation in the Polish camp.
After his espionage activity was uncovered, he was arrested on April 24, 1794. The court in
Kraków
Kraków (), or Cracow, is the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the city dates back to the seventh century. Kraków was the official capital of Poland until 1596 ...
found him guilty of high treason and sentenced him to death. After he was expelled from the church, Dziewoński was publicly
beheaded
Decapitation or beheading is the total separation of the head from the body. Such an injury is invariably fatal to humans and most other animals, since it deprives the brain of oxygenated blood, while all other organs are deprived of the ...
by the
sword in
Kraków
Kraków (), or Cracow, is the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the city dates back to the seventh century. Kraków was the official capital of Poland until 1596 ...
.
His sister was held in prison until the fall of the uprising. Later she married Praczewski.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dziewonski, Maciej
18th-century births
1794 deaths
People executed by Poland by decapitation
18th-century Polish–Lithuanian Roman Catholic priests
Executed Polish people
People executed by the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth
People executed for treason against Poland