Svatopluk Čech

Svatopluk Čech (February 21, 1846, Ostředek near Benešov – February 23, 1908, Prague) was a Czech writer, journalist and poet. Čech studied at gymnasium (secondary school) in Prague, then studied law, and later worked in the journals Květy, Lumír and Světozor. His first poem, Husita na Baltu, was published in the almanac Ruch in 1868. Similarly to his work Adamité, it is inspired by history (Hussite Wars). His poem Evropa (1878) takes its cue from revolutionary movements of the time, his poem Slávie (1882) propagates ideals of Slavic unity, the poem Václav z Michalovic (1880) depicts religious oppression by the Jesuits, his poem Lešetínský kovář (1883 confiscated, 1899) social problems of industrialization. The books of lyrical poetry Jitřní písně (1887) and Nové písně (1888) reflect the national rebirth of the Czech people, and his poetry cycle Písně otroka reflects social problems.