“The Family of T. G. Masaryk – American Influences”

March 7th is Tomas Garrigue Masaryk Day which marks the birthday of Czechoslovakia's first president (March 7th, 1850)

Lecture by Marie Neudorflová Ph.D., Masaryk Institute and Archive of Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic

When: Wednesday, March 11, at 6-8 p.m.
Where: American Center, Tržiště 13, Praha 1 - Malá Strana (only 50 m below U.S. Embassy)

In reasonably broad context, the lecture (approximately one hour and half) would focus first on intellectual and spiritual influences on views of T. G. Masaryk through his studies of philosophy and his philosophy and thanks to intellectual and religious orientation of his American wife Charlotte. Particularly interesting was her influence on Masaryk’s involvement in the Czech woman’s movement.

Two lectures tours of Masaryk (1902 and 1907) provided him with the opportunity to gain more insight into American democracy, which became, together with important contacts, very useful for his future political work, especially during his exile struggle for independent democratic Czechoslovakia.

Two other members of the family had chance to absorb much of American pragmatic and democratic way of thinking as well as valuable experience for their future – daughter Alice during her over two years lasting practice as a nurse in Chicago, and son Jan, staying in the USA for around ten years, doing various kinds of work.

The preamble of the Czechoslovak constitution after the establishment of Czechoslovakia in 1918 was almost literally taken from the American Constitution. The lecture would particularly emphasize democratic aspects of all connections and influences.

The lecture will be held in Czech, admission is free of charge.

Related Links:

• President Masaryk takes inspiration from George Washington (Radio Prague)
• Czechs in History: Tomas Garrigue Masaryk (Radio Prague)
• Masaryk Institute and Archive of Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic