Władysław franciszek andrzej szczepański – historian of pharmacy and medicine

Władysław F. A. Szczepański was born on September 20, 1922 in Kalisz, and died on December 31, 2009 in Olsztyn, Poland. In 1947, he graduated from the University of Poznań (Faculty of Pharmacy) and was awarded the title of Master of Pharmacy. He obtained his first job at a pharmacy in Częstochowa. Next, from 1948 to 1949 he worked in the chemical plant PEMOR in Poznań. During his military service between 1949 and 1957 he served as head of a pharmacy and a laboratory. Having completed his military service, he then became a manager of a pharmacy in Częstochowa, and then the Deputy Director of the Częstochowa Department for the Katowice Board of Pharmacies. In 1972 he was appointed Director of Board of Pharmacies in Olsztyn (evolving into the Public Company of Pharmaceutical Supplies CEFARM in Olsztyn), which function he performed till 1988 when he retired. He was awarded the academic degree of Doctor of Pharmacy in 1970 and a post-doctoral degree (Assistant Professor) in pharmacy in 1998. He was most active in the field of the history of pharmacy, and also in the field of the history of medicine. He wrote many biographies concerning pharmacists. From 1972 to 1983, he served as the Vice-President of the Polish Medical Association. Between 1980 and 1992 he served as the Vice-President of the Polish Association for History of Medicine and Pharmacy, Division in Olsztyn, and remained its President since 1993. He was a member of the General Board of the Polish Historical Society. He participated in numerous congresses and conferences involving historians of pharmacy and medicine in Poland and abroad. He was honored with the Knight's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, Medal of Rodło and many other regional and professional awards.