Szkoła Główna Wielkiego Księstwa Litewskiego jako uczelnia oświeceniowa

The European Enlightenment had its own model of university organization. Reforming the old universities, establishing new ones and discussing their form and tasks were all motivated by the need to make the university not only an educational institution but also an institution aiming at scientific research. The reform of the old Jesuit Vilnius Academy in the times of the Commission of National Education had the same purpose. The effect of the reform was the transformation of the Vilnius Academy into the Principal School of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The changes were mainly introduced by an ex-Jesuit, an astronomer, and a rector Marcin Poczobut-Odlanicki who distinguished himself from the academic staff. He was an excellent animator of the scientific life. He made efforts to employ the best staff and to provide scientific facilities for academic faculties, which all contributed to the formation of a modern university. Undoubtedly, Poczobut was a man of the Enlightenment and a thoroughly educated science enthusiast. He tried to get employ of Jean Emmanuel Gilibert in Vilnius. This paper shows the contribution of Marcin Poczobut in forming a modern university according to the ideas of the Enlightenment in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and also modern ways of educating students.