Dmowski, Roman (1864-1939)

Polish conservative politician, leader of the right-wing National Democratic Party. At the end of World War I, he was the chief Polish delegate at the conference that led to the Treaty of Versailles in 1919.

Under Dmowski's leadership, the National Democratic Party, which he had helped found, became a major political force in Poland before and after World War I. It appealed to many sections of the Polish middle and upper classes, not least by stirring up anti-semitic feeling. In foreign affairs, Dmowski at first supported the reunification of Poland under Russia, but advocated at Versailles a large and independent Polish state. Later, he repeatedly warned of the German threat to Poland. Dmowski served in Polish governments in 1919-23 but never held power.