Ignacy Jan Paderewski

Ignacy Jan Paderewski (Polish: [iɡˈnatsɨ ˈjan padɛˈrɛfskʲi]; 18 November [O.S. 6 November] 1860 – 29 June 1941) was a Polish pianist and composer, freemason, politician, statesman and spokesman for Polish independence. A favorite of concert audiences around the world, his musical fame opened access to diplomacy and the media. Paderewski met with President Woodrow Wilson, and advocated an independent Poland, which became point 13 among Wilson's Fourteen Points at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919, which led to the Treaty of Versailles, which Paderewski signed on Poland's behalf. In 1919, Paderewski was during 10 months the Prime Minister of Poland and also slightly longer Poland's foreign minister. Soon thereafter he left Poland, never to return, although he resumed his worldwide music career.