The Resume

(February 4, 1746-October 15, 1817)
Born in Kosava, Belarus
Birth name was Andrzej Tadeusz Bonawentura Kosciuszko
Joined the Continental Army during the American Revolution
Named head engineer of the Continental Army (1776)
Promoted to brigadier general and received American citizenship and a land grant in Ohio (1783)
Named a major general in the Polish army (1789)
Led an uprising against Russian and Prussian influence over Poland (1794)
Pardoned by Tzar Paul I (1796)

Why he might be annoying:

When the Bar Confederation revolted against the Polish monarchy, he avoided taking sides by emigrating to France (1768).
While working as a tutor, he tried unsuccessfully to elope with one of his students.
His only battlefield command during the American Revolution, at James Island, South Carolina, was a complete rout (November 14, 1782).
After his unsuccessful revolt against the Russians and Prussians, Poland was completely wiped off the map in the Third Partition of the country.
After a meeting to discuss Polish independence, Napoleon dismissed him as a 'fool.'

Why he might not be annoying:

After the Battle of Saratoga, American General Horatio Gates wrote 'The great tacticians of the campaign were hills and forests, which a young Polish engineer was skillful enough to select for my encampment.'
His skills in building batteaux and scouting river crossings were credited with saving General Nathaniel Greene's southern army from being captured by Lord Cornwallis' forces.
He was lifelong friends with Thomas Jefferson, who called him 'as pure a son of liberty as I have ever known.'
During the Polish-Russian War of 1792 and the Kosciuszko Uprising, he repeatedly defeated much larger armies.
He freed the serfs of his estate two years before his death and in his will asked that his properties in America be used to purchase the freedom of slaves and pay for their education.
He composed a polonaise that, after lyrics were added, became a theme song of Polish patriots.
He was considered such a potent symbol of Polish freedom, the occupying Russians would flog peasants just for mentioning his name.

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 37]
• Exiles
• Generals and Admirals
• I am of Polish Extraction
• I am on a U.S. Postage Stamp [H-L]
• I Took a Bullet
• I Was a Prisoner of War
• I Was Hot For My Student
• Known By a Middle Name
• Look at Me, I'm Mounted
• Look at Me, My Picture Is Art
• Profiles 31501-31750 (Ranked: 31519)
• Served in the American Revolution [1775-89]

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 6 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 6 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 6 Votes: 83.33% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 16 Votes: 37.50% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 9 Votes: 22.22% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 12 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 21 Votes: 28.57% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 19 Votes: 52.63% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 30 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 15 Votes: 46.67% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 243 Votes: 48.56% Annoying