From 1808 he was president of the Society of Friends of Learning ("Towarzystwo Przyjaciół Nauk", or "TPN"), forerunner to the Polish Academy of Sciences ("Polska Akademia Nauk"); he would be elected repeatedly as the society's president until his death. In 1808 he also became referendary to the State Council ("Rada Stanu") of the Duchy; in 1810 he became a full member. In the Council, he was active in regard to questions of education and the economy. As "TPN" president he was active in many initiatives which supported and popularized science in Poland. He oversaw the construction of a headquarters for the "TPN", which came to be known as the "Staszic Palace".