Piotr Szembek was born on 14 December 1788 in Warsaw, Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (now part of Poland).

[7] Following the outbreak of the November Uprising, Szembek joined the insurgent forcess, becoming the commander of the 4th Infantry Division.

[1] Szembek came into conflict with general Jan Zygmunt Skrzynecki, who was the Commander-in-Chief of the uprising.

Despite that, Szembek continued fighting as a volunteer, serving under general Jan Kanty Julian Sierawski.

[5] In 1835 he was punished by the authorities of the Russian Empire for his participation in the uprising, in form of having his property confiscated.

Additionally, he is the namesake the General Piort Szembek 374th Primary School, located in Warsaw, at 6 Boremlowskiej Street.