Janusz Korczak

Janusz Korczak was a pioneering Polish-Jewish educator, children's author, and pediatrician who dedicated his life to advocating for children's rights and dignity. Born Henryk Goldszmit, he became widely known by his pen name and earned respect for his progressive views on child development and education. Korczak ran a Warsaw orphanage where he emphasized respect, self-governance, and empathy, treating children as individuals with voices and value. During World War II, when the Nazis forced his orphanage into the Warsaw Ghetto, Korczak refused offers to escape and instead stayed with the children, ultimately accompanying them to the Treblinka extermination camp, where he perished alongside them. His unwavering commitment to the well-being and humanity of children continues to inspire educators and human rights advocates around the world.