From the rector’s chair to deputies’ benches : the rectors of the Lviv University as virilist deputies of the National Galician Parliament

In 1861, the National Galician Parliament was established. Among its deputies, there were the representatives of Galician Universities. It was the institution of the so-called ex-officio members of parliament or chancellors virilists. Despite its many shortcomings, the chancellors stayed in the benches of the Galician Parliament until the end of the Habsburg Monarchy. In the years 1861-1914, the University of Lviv sent 50 rectors to the Galician Parliament. They were mostly Poles, and to a lesser extent Germans and Ukrainians. The rectors were rather not involved in political debates. The main area of their interest was the field of education.