# Jan Karski

> Polish World War II officer, resistance fighter and diplomat (1914–2000)

**Wikidata**: [Q212523](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q212523)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Karski)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jan-karski

## Summary
Jan Karski was a Polish World War II officer, resistance fighter, and diplomat (1914–2000). He is best known for his role as a courier who delivered a secret report to the Allies in 1943, detailing the Nazi extermination of Jews in occupied Poland. His testimony helped shape Allied policy and contributed to the eventual liberation of the Warsaw Ghetto.

## Biography
- **Born**: April 24, 1914, in Warsaw, Poland
- **Nationality**: Polish
- **Education**: Studied at the University of Warsaw and the University of Lviv
- **Known for**: Delivering a secret report to the Allies detailing Nazi atrocities in Poland
- **Employer(s)**: Armia Krajowa (Home Army), Georgetown University, University of Warsaw
- **Field(s)**: Military resistance, diplomacy, Holocaust documentation

## Contributions
- **Secret Report to the Allies (1943)**: Karski delivered a classified report to the Allies, detailing the Nazi extermination of Jews in occupied Poland. This evidence was crucial in shaping Allied policy and later contributed to the liberation of the Warsaw Ghetto.
- **Honorary Awards**: Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1999), the Order of the White Eagle (Poland), the Armia Krajowa Cross, and the Righteous Among the Nations (Israel).
- **Academic Recognition**: Honored with honorary doctorates from Georgetown University, the University of Warsaw, and the University of Łódź.

## FAQs
**What was Jan Karski’s most significant contribution?**
Karski delivered a secret report to the Allies in 1943, detailing the Nazi extermination of Jews in occupied Poland. This evidence helped shape Allied policy and contributed to the liberation of the Warsaw Ghetto.

**Where did Jan Karski work during World War II?**
Karski served in the Armia Krajowa (Home Army), Poland’s underground resistance movement, where he played a key role in intelligence and communication.

**What awards did Jan Karski receive?**
He was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1999), the Order of the White Eagle (Poland), the Armia Krajowa Cross, and the Righteous Among the Nations (Israel).

**Where did Jan Karski study?**
He attended the University of Warsaw and the University of Lviv, where he pursued his education.

## Why They Matter
Jan Karski’s secret report to the Allies in 1943 provided critical evidence of Nazi atrocities in Poland, influencing Allied policy and ultimately contributing to the liberation of the Warsaw Ghetto. His testimony helped ensure that the Holocaust was recognized as a global atrocity, shaping post-war international law and Holocaust remembrance. Karski’s work remains a testament to the power of individual courage in the face of oppression.

## Notable For
- Delivered a secret report to the Allies detailing Nazi atrocities in Poland (1943)
- Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1999) and the Righteous Among the Nations (Israel)
- Honored with honorary doctorates from Georgetown University, the University of Warsaw, and the University of Łódź
- Served in the Armia Krajowa (Home Army) during World War II

## Body
### Early Life
Jan Karski was born on April 24, 1914, in Warsaw, Poland. He studied at the University of Warsaw and later at the University of Lviv, where he pursued his education before the outbreak of World War II.

### World War II and Resistance
During World War II, Karski joined the Armia Krajowa (Home Army), Poland’s underground resistance movement. He played a key role in intelligence and communication, delivering critical information to the Allies.

### Secret Report to the Allies
In 1943, Karski delivered a classified report to the Allies, detailing the Nazi extermination of Jews in occupied Poland. This evidence was crucial in shaping Allied policy and later contributed to the liberation of the Warsaw Ghetto.

### Post-War Career and Recognition
After the war, Karski worked as a diplomat and later became a professor at Georgetown University and the University of Warsaw. He received numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1999), the Order of the White Eagle (Poland), the Armia Krajowa Cross, and the Righteous Among the Nations (Israel).

### Legacy
Jan Karski’s work remains a testament to the power of individual courage in the face of oppression. His secret report to the Allies helped ensure that the Holocaust was recognized as a global atrocity, shaping post-war international law and Holocaust remembrance. Karski’s legacy continues to inspire efforts to combat oppression and promote human rights.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. The Righteous Among the Nations Database
4. datos.bne.es
5. [Source](https://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/reference/two_column_table/Presidential_Medal_of_Freedom_Recipients.htm)
6. Bibliothèque nationale de France
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. CiNii Research
9. SNAC
10. Find a Grave
11. Internetowy Polski Słownik Biograficzny
12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
13. Open Library
14. Autoritats UB
15. Jan Karski (1914-2000) | Open Library. Open Library
16. The Movie Database
17. LIBRIS. 2011
18. Sejm-Wielki.pl