Frantisek Palacky: (1798–1876) Czech Nationalist and Historian

Frantisek Palacky was born in Moravia, and is regarded as the father of the modern Czech nation.  He strongly encouraged Czech autonomy amidst German and Russian forces.  His paraphrase of Voltaire, "If the Austrian Empire did not exist, it would have to be invented," remains famous.

Palacky viewed Czech history as a constant struggle between Germans and Slavs. His History of Bohemia was origionally published in German; however, its Czech langueage version (1848-1876) strongly influenced the burgeoning Czech national consciousness.

Photographs:

Sculpture Center, Frantisek Palacky

Courtauld Institute of Art, Art & Architecture, Monument to Frantisek Palacky

Further Reading:

Radio Prague, Czechs in History, Frantisek Palacky

Bartelby.com, Great Books Online, Frantisek Palacky