Ryszard Bender facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ryszard Bender
Ryszard Bender official portrait, November 2007
Born	Ryszard Janusz Bender (1932-02-16)February 16, 1932 Łomża, Poland
Died	February 24, 2016(2016-02-24) (aged 84) Lublin, Poland
Occupation	Polish historian and politician

Ryszard Janusz Bender (February 16, 1932 – February 24, 2016) was a Polish politician and historian. He was a specialist on the history of the January Uprising. He was professor of History at John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin.

Life

From 1976 to 1980 and 1985 to 1989, he was a deputy of the Sejm. In 2007, he was elected as a member in the Senate of Poland from the Law and Justice party. He retired from the senate in 2011.

Bender was accused of antisemitism and Holocaust denial after he said that Auschwitz was "not a death camp" but a "labour camp". He later said his remarks were taken out of context. He has also spoken out in defense of Dariusz Ratajczak.

Death

Bender died of a stroke on February 24, 2016 in Lublin, Poland. He was aged 84.