Roman Kozłowski

 By Krystyna Pożaryska

Poland and the World Geology and Paleontology have suffered a heavy loss recently. Professor Roman Kozłowski, an outstanding Polish scientist, Doctor of Paleontology, a member of the Polish Academy of Sciences died on the 2^nd of May, 1977.

Professor Kozłowski was a man of a great character and genuine interest in the field of his study, wholely and creatively involved in his work; his research work was his best companion and friend till the end of his life.

Born in Włocławek, where he completed the High School of Commerce. He studied in Switzerland and at Paris University under Professor's M. Boule guidance. In 1913 he left for Bolivia receiving a position of professor and director of Geological Sciences Department at the Mining School in Oruro.

There he published eight papers dealing with natural resources of Bolivia and geology and paleontology of Devonian and Carboniferous, mainly with brachiopods. In 1921 Professor Kozłowski returned to Europe. After obtaining his PhD in Natural Sciences at Paris University, he was appointed Head of the chair of Paleontology at the Polish Free University and soon at the University of Warsaw, where he concentrated all his creative activity on research. As a result he produced the greatest monument of his life - a study on graptolites. The specimens were collected in the Holy Cross Mountains. Graptolites very well preserved in chalcedone layers from the Cambrian/Ordovician boundary (Tremadocian). The belonged to the Dendroidea group. The specimens recovered by chemical treatment performed by the professor himself, were a revelation on the world's scale, as graptolites were formerly known only in a flattened form in slates. The three dimensional specimens made it possible to undertake specific anatomical studies. With his profound zoological background, Professor Kozłowski pointed out the inadequate systematic positions of graptolites, which he assigned to Hemichordata.

This discovery was a great achievement at that time. Like the monograph on graptolites each succesive research work of Professor Kozłowski was creative, innovative and contributed significantly to the development of science. Professor's Kozłowski investigations provided evidence to prove that paleontology supplies materials that can give specific morphological data, as in the case of zoology. Through his work he initiated a biological direction in paleontology.

The scientific activities of the late Professor Roman Kozłowski were both rich and multichanneled. Not only the number of his publications is impressive, over 40, plus about a dozen of review articles - but, above all, their originality. Each of his publications is a genuine and creative work, containing relevant emprirical data. Four are representing fundamental monographs concerning brachiopods and graptolites. Other threw new light on such little known organism as Conularia, Hydroida, Scolecodonta, Chitinozoa, Polychaeta, Cephalopoda and some others, as well as some Paleozoic organisms of unknown position.

In appreciation of his merits Professor Kozłowski received the highest distinctions at home and abroad. He was awarded Doctor honoris causa degrees by a number of Universities and was a honorary member of 17 international scientific organizations, He was not only a great scientist but also a man deeply concerned with the need of the humanization of Science.