Michał Józef Römer (also spelled Romer or Roemer; 2 September 1778 – 14 January 1853) was a politician, writer, Freemason, and notable member of the Polish–Lithuanian gentry.
Life and Career
Römer was born in Vilna (present-day Vilnius, Lithuania), where he spent most of his life. He was the son of Stefan Dominik Römer and Anna Pac. He owned several manors, including in Kriaunos, Antanašė, Bagdoniškis, Daugirdiškiai, Granapolis, and Dembinė.
During the French invasion of Russia in 1812, he served as the Mayor of Vilnius from July to September of that year. Between 1817 and 1820, he served as a Marshal of the Szlachta (nobility) for the Vilna Governorate. He was also a head of the regional branch of the National Patriotic Society and a member of the Towarzystwo Szubrawców (Society of Scoundrels) literary society, alongside figures such as Michał Baliński, Leon Borowski, Ignacy Chodźko, Antoni Gorecki, Kazimierz Kontrym, Józef Sękowski, Jędrzej Śniadecki, and Tomasz Zan.
Freemasonry and Activism
Römer was an active Freemason, serving as master of the Masonic Lodge "Diligent Lithuanian" (Uolusis lietuvis) and chairman of the Great Lodge "Perfect Unity" (Tobuloji vienybė). He was an early advocate for the abolition of serfdom and raised the question publicly. Due to these activities and his involvement in patriotic societies, in 1826 he was imprisoned in Warsaw and subsequently in the Peter and Paul Fortress in Saint Petersburg. He was later exiled to Voronezh.
Later Life and Family
After his return from exile in 1832, he retired from public life. In 1799, he married Rachela de Reas (1783–1855), daughter of Franciszek de Raes and Judyta Jeleńska. They had six children: Judyta (1800–1803), Henryk (1803–1828), Filareta Anna (1805–1890), Edward Jan (1806–1878), Seweryn Justus (1814–1890), and Michał Stefan (1816–1846). His son Edward Jan Römer was also a noted social activist and writer.
