This most famous native of Piła was born in 1755. He studied in Paris after his ordination. In 1782 he was granted a doctorate of both laws in the Zamojska Academy. He travelled a lot around Europe. During a four-year Sejm he was a reform camp activist. After partitions he focused mainly on the work towards the economic development of Polish land.

At the turn of the 18th and 19th century he was testing the Carpathian Mountains, the result of which was a book "O ziemiorĂłdztwie KarpatĂłw...". He created one of the first geological maps in the world. Thanks to his efforts the Mining Academy in Kielce and the Warsaw Central School, future Warsaw University, were founded.

From 1800 he was a member of the Scientific Society, and after eight years he was elected its chairman. He established its seat in Warsaw (Staszic Palace). In 1824 he took office as the Minister of State.

In his actions and ideas expressed in his books he was guided by deep patriotism and compassion for the poor. He ordered to donate his whole property for social purposes after his death.

He died on 20 January, 1826 in Warsaw.

The town authorities and inhabitants remember the outstanding Pole. The building in which he was born (at Browarna Str.) was made into a Museum of Stanisław Staszic. Today the Museum is an institution gathering, drawing up and storing cultural values connected directly or indirectly with Staszic. There is Staszic Square in the town, the Vocational Schools Complex is named after him, in the Stanisław Staszic Park there is his bust, and a monument by the Gwda River.