Portrait of John III Sobieski, photo Daniel Schultz
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ID: OS-000650-P/67144

Jan III Sobieski

Portrait of John III Sobieski surrounded by his family

ID: OS-000650-P/67144

Jan III Sobieski

First name:

Jan III

Last Name:

Sobieski

Parents:

Jakub Sobieski i Zofia Teofila z Daniłowiczów

Crest:

Janina

Date of birth:

17-08-1629

Place of birth:

Olesko

Date of death:

17-06-1696

Age:

Honours and awards:

Order Ducha Świętego

Biography:

Jan III Sobieski (1629-1696), born in Lesko, son of Jakub Sobieski and Zofia Teofila née Daniłowicz, king of Poland. Between 1640 and 1643, he attended the Nowodworski College in Cracow. He then studied at the Faculty of Philosophy of the Cracow Academy. He received an excellent education and learned several languages. He became fluent in three and knew the basics of another five. After graduating from the academy, Sobieski went on a 2.5-year grand tour of Western Europe with his brother. He was a bibliophile, having obtained permission from the Pope to read forbidden books. He also had extremely wide-ranging scientific interests. During the Moscow War he fought in the Battle of Ochmatov. In 1659, he was elected a member of the Sejm for the first time. In 1665, he married Maria Kazimiera. In 1674, he was elected king. He was a great patron of culture. He died in 1696 in Wilanów.