The structure of the academy was modeled on the corresponding French
Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres. It consisted of 15 members chosen for life, seven of whom were selected by the Minister of Religion and Public Education. The remaining eight were proposed by the members of the first group. Notably, socialist writer and
Freemason,
Andrzej Strug declined the offer, The academy awarded two highest national honors for contribution to the development of Polish literature: the Gold and the Silver Laurel (Złoty, and Srebrny Wawrzyn). Another prize, also widely regarded, was the Young Writer's Award, a
door-opener for new and emerging talent. The honorary members included also the academy's main promoters: President of Poland
Ignacy Mościcki and Marshal
Józef Piłsudski. secretary general
Juliusz Kaden-Bandrowski, and popular writers such as
Wacław Berent, and by Rostworowski (1937) protesting against the change of government. The new members were soon appointed, including writers
Ferdynand Goetel,
Kornel Makuszyński,
Jan Lorentowicz, and
Kazimierz Wierzyński. The academy ceased to exist following the Nazi-Soviet
invasion of Poland in 1939. ==Notes and references==