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Boeck, Leopold F.
Professor. Born 1826 in Chelm, Poland. Graduated from both Breslau and Berlin universities. In 1849 volunteered in the uprising of the Hungarian people against Austria. Went to Paris, where he was a professor of higher mathematics in Sorbonne. In New York founded the first Polytechnical Institute in U.S. After Civil War was invited by the University of West Virginia to teach engineering and mathematics. Officials from Washington addressed him "Excellency." In 1873 President Grant nominated him as educational delegate to the fair in Vienna, Austria. In 1877 was invited in the same capacity to the fair in Philadelphia, Pa., where he lived until his death. Most popular person among the Polish immigrants, winning popularity contest sponsored by the Polish weekly paper "Jutrzenka" (Dawn), in 1893 in Cleveland, Ohio. In Philadelphia he helped the Polish immigrants greatly; was a member of many Polish organizations. Married the daughter of Count Ostrowski. Died in 1896.

From: "Who's Who in Polish America" by Rev. Francis Bolek, Editor-in-Chief; Harbinger House, New York, 1943

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Note: In "Polish American Journal" Aug. 8, 1964 article "Philadelphia's Polish Shrines" by Henry Archacki p. 4 -- Boeck is mentioned as "Leoplod Julian Boech" founder of the poytechnical school in New York; buried at Fernwood Cemetery May 19, 1896.

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