Born: 13 November 1806, Lithuania
Died: 23 December 1831
Country most active: Lithuania, Poland
Also known as: Emilia Broel-Plater, Emilija Pliaterytė
The following bio was written by Emma Rosen, author of On This Day She Made History: 366 Days With Women Who Shaped the World and This Day In Human Ingenuity & Discovery: 366 Days of Scientific Milestones with Women in the Spotlight, and has been republished with permission.
Countess Emilia Broel-Plater (Lithuanian: Emilija Pliaterytė) was a Polish–Lithuanian noblewoman who played a significant role in the November Uprising of 1830–1831 against the Russian Empire. She haled from Līksna near Daugavpils and was raised with a strong sense of patriotism.
During the uprising, Emilia Broel-Plater formed and led a small unit, participating in various engagements in what is now Lithuania. Her efforts earned her the rank of captain in the Polish insurgent forces. While the main forces, under General Dezydery Chłapowski, chose to end their fight and seek refuge in Prussia, she remained committed to continuing the struggle in Poland, where the uprising was ongoing. Unfortunately, her aspirations were cut short due to illness, leading to her untimely death.
Emilia Broel-Plater’s inspiring story left a lasting impact, sparking numerous artistic and literary works. She is celebrated as a national heroine in Poland, Lithuania, and Belarus, symbolizing the dedication of women in the pursuit of their nations’ causes.
The following is excerpted from “400 Outstanding Women of the World and the Costumology of Their Time” by Minna Moscherosch Schmidt, published in 1933.
Three times the Polish people attempted to wrest their country from the grasp of her three neighbors, and Emilja Plater played a distinguished role in the second struggle, in 1830. Born in Wilno in 1806, the daughter of Count Ksawery and Countess Anna Plater, members of the highest nobility of Poland, Emilja was brought up in an atmosphere of culture and refinement, and received an education far beyond that of other women of her time. She was a brilliant student, and interested particolarly in mathematics and history. Her ideal was Joan of Arc, and she never tired of reading of her life. From earliest youth, she was devoted to outdoor sports, and when she was nor bent over a book, or engaged in fencing, riding or hunting, she was taking long walks through the countryside, all the year round. On these long walks, she often stopped to rest at the huts of peasants, and al- ways brought them little gifts. She taught them in wise and kind words, and was idolized by all the people, near and far. Her national loyalty was evidenced when, at the age of eighteen her hand was sought in marriage by a wealthy and influential Russian. She rejected him, saying briefly, “I am Polish.” She lost both her mother and father in 1830, and soon after, war was declared with Russia. On hearing the news, Emilja, then twenty- five years old, rode furiously to the little town of Dusiaty where, by her fiery speeches, the men of the locality were carried away on a wave of patriotism. Here she organized her first detachment, that under her brilliant leadership that was an inspiration not only to them, but to all the others fighting for the freedom of their country, won a series of battles with the Russian regulars, who outnumbered them greatly. She was always at the head of her troops, leading them in the thick of battle. In recognition of her valor, she received in succession, on the field of battle, the commission of Lieutenant, Captain and Colonel, and played an important part in the entire campaign. Broken in health, and in despair because all her efforts had been in vain, she died on December 23, 1831.