 |
Josef DobrovskyCzech philologist (linguist, literary scholar, folklorist), historian and educator
Date of Birth: 17.08.1753
Country:  Czech |
Content:
- Josef Dobrovský
- Religious and Intellectual Career
- Scientific Explorations
- Historical and Philological Scholarship
- Linguistic and Literary Contributions
- National Significance and Legacy
Josef Dobrovský
Early Life and EducationJosef Dobrovský, a pioneering figure in Slavic philology, was born in 1753 near Raab (Győr), Hungary, to a German-speaking family. His father served as a cavalry sergeant in the Austrian army. Dobrovský's family relocated frequently due to his father's assignments. He learned German as a child and later became fluent in Czech at age 10.
After attending German school in Bishopteinitz (Horšovský Týn), Dobrovský studied at the Augustinian gymnasium in Deutschbrod (now Havlíčkův Brod). He then studied with Jesuits in Klattau (Klatovy) from 1767 to 1769, before enrolling at the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Prague.
Religious and Intellectual Career
Dobrovský initially pursued biblical studies and joined the Jesuit novitiate in Brno in 1772, intending to become a missionary in India. However, the Jesuit order was dissolved in 1773, and Dobrovský returned to Prague to continue his studies in theology.
He eventually became a teacher of mathematics and philosophy to the children of Count Bedřich Jan Nostitz, a patron and supporter of the Enlightenment. During this period, Dobrovský began his scholarly research on Czech antiquities and literature, influenced by Franz Pelcl, another frequent guest of Nostitz.
Dobrovský was appointed vice-rector of the seminary in Hradisch (now part of Olomouc), Moravia, in 1786. He took holy orders in 1789 and became rector. He actively participated in debates on the clergy's status and celibacy and supported the ecclesiastical reforms of Emperor Joseph II. However, his ecclesiastical career was cut short when seminaries were closed by Leopold II's decree in 1790.
Scientific Explorations
After returning to Nostitz's house in Prague, Dobrovský engaged in private teaching and scholarly work. In 1792, the Prague Royal Society of Science commissioned him to collect and study Slavic manuscripts stolen from Prague by the Swedes during the Thirty Years' War. He traveled to Stockholm, Åbo, St. Petersburg, Moscow, and other cities, encountering a vast collection of ancient manuscripts.
His expedition to Sweden and Russia provided Dobrovský with extensive knowledge of Slavic literature and linguistics. He studied manuscripts in various libraries, including the Petersburg Academy of Sciences, the Alexander Nevsky Monastery, and the collection of the Holy Synod. He also visited private collections, such as Count A. I. Musin-Pushkin's collection in Moscow.
Historical and Philological Scholarship
Beyond his philological research, Dobrovský was an accomplished historian who focused on medieval Czech historiography, the Cyril and Methodius mission, and the origins of the Slavs. He discovered and published numerous historical and philological sources, developing methods for their investigation.
Dobrovský adhered to a critical approach to historical analysis, separating legendary from factual information. His "Critical Attempts to Cleanse Czech History from Later Inventions" (1803-1819) exemplified this method and earned him a reputation as a relentless critic. He considered the Hussite period to be crucial in Czech history, although he disapproved of the Taborite movement.
Linguistic and Literary Contributions
Dobrovský made significant contributions to Czech philology. He published historical essays on the Czech language and literature, tracing the latter's development to 1526. He also edited collections of "Bohemian Literature" in the 1780s.
Recognizing the relationship between different Slavic languages, Dobrovský proposed the first classification of modern Slavic languages. He prepared an etymological dictionary of Slavic languages in 1813 and published an Old Slavic grammar, "Institutiones," in Latin in 1822.
National Significance and Legacy
Dobrovský's work played a pivotal role in shaping Czech national identity. He supported Czech language revival and education, although he personally refrained from active political involvement. He established the Royal (Czech) Society of Sciences in 1784 and played a significant role in the founding of the National Museum in Prague in 1818.
Despite his German upbringing, Dobrovsky's contributions to Czech literature and scholarship earned him immense respect and authority among the Czech national awakening movement. He became a mentor to a generation of Czech scholars, including the prominent Slovak Slavist Pavel Šafařík.
While some historians contested his theory of Czech language evolution, Dobrovsky's impact on Czech philology remains unparalleled. He is widely regarded as the founder of scientific Slavic studies and one of the most important figures in the Czech National Revival.
