Jan Boner

Jan Boner was a Cracow patrician of the late 15th and early 16th centuries who served as a royal banker and personal financial advisor of the king.

Originating from Nüremberg, Boner came to Cracow where he married a member of the noble Morsztyn patrician family and gained citizenship in 1483. One part of the wealth that he made in textile business he used to provide financial services to the nobility and burghers. Among his clients was even the King Sigismund I of Poland (r. 1506-1548) who needed large resources for financing the wars and court costs. In return, Boner was granted customs revenues and landed estates, and was put in charge for the royal salt mines. He also served as the king's personal financial advisor and he is credited with the separation of royal finances from the state finances.

A large fortune that he possessed Boner used for purchase of the landed properties that were a matter of prestige, and to obtain a noble status (1514).

Besides his business activities he is also remembered as a patron of art and culture, especially of German and Italian scholars and artists.