Iwo Odrowąż

Iwo Odrowąż (died 21 August 1229) was a medieval Polish humanist, statesman, and bishop.

He studied in Bologna and Paris,[1] maintained contacts with a number of Western European intellectuals, and developed for himself a reputation as a "splendid representative of medieval Latin culture", though no writings of his survive.

In the years 1220–1224 while he was Bishop of Kraków, he built a church dedicated to Saint Nicholas in the village of Końskie and established a parish there.

In 1220 Iwo brought the Order of the Holy Ghost (Ordo Fratrum Canonicorum Regularium Sancti Spiritus de Saxia) to Prądnik Biały, where he entrusted them with the care of the hospital.

Iwo was the owner of the oldest known Polish private library (containing 32 codices purchased abroad), which he left in his will to Wawel Cathedral.