Zbynek Zeman British historian of Czech origin Date of Birth: 18.10.1928 Country: Great Britain

1. Early Life and Education
2. Academic and Professional Career
3. Return to Prague and Discovery of the Parvus Memorandum

Early Life and Education

Zbyněk Antonín Zeman was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia. He received his early education in his home country and then emigrated to England in 1948. In 1949, he commenced his studies at the University of London, specializing in history.

Academic and Professional Career

After completing his studies, Zeman worked for various organizations, including The Economist and Amnesty International. He also played a crucial role in translating the samizdat human rights bulletin "Chronicle of Current Events" into English.

In later years, Zeman became an honorary professor of modern history at the University of Oxford. He was known for his expertise in diplomatic and military history, particularly of Central European nations. His research interests also extended to the military propaganda employed by authoritarian and totalitarian regimes, such as the Nazis and communist governments.

Return to Prague and Discovery of the Parvus Memorandum

In the mid-1990s, Zeman returned to Prague. Notably, he discovered the so-called "Parvus Memorandum," a document drafted by Alexander Parvus to the German government in 1915. This memorandum was a significant discovery that provided insights into the strategic thinking behind Germany's involvement in World War I. Zeman's publication of this document in collaboration with Wilhelm Bernhard Scharlau contributed to its dissemination and scholarly significance.