Jaroslav Stránský papers, 1894-1970

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Summary

Creators:
Stránský, Jaroslav, 1884-1973
Abstract:
Speeches and writings, radio broadcast transcripts, and correspondence, relating to politics and culture in Czechoslovakia, and to conditions in Czechoslovakia under communism.
Extent:
8 manuscript boxes (3.3 Linear Feet)
Language:
Czech
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Jaroslav Stránský papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

The papers of Jaroslav Stránský were acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives from his son, Jan Stránský, in August 1982, and relate mainly to Stránský's anti-communist post-war émigré activities during the years he spent in his second exile. Shortly after the communist coup d'etat in February 1948 he emigrated to Great Britain, and in 1951 he started his regular broadcasts on Radio Free Europe.

The bulk of the collection consists of transcripts of these broadcasts on Radio Free Europe. From 1951 to 1970 Jaroslav Stránský delivered weekly commentaries to Czechoslovakia under the pen name Jan Zedník. His lively, often deeply philosophical speeches were objective, colorful, sober, and compassionate. He spoke about freedom and justice, spiritual and moral values, literature, theatre and art and their limited possibilities under the communist rule, and provided insightful analyses of the political and economic situation in Communist Czechoslovakia.

Of significant importance is Stránský's often very personal correspondence with prominent artists, writers, poets, composers, and politicians, such as Leoš Janácek, Arne Novák, Leopolda Dostálová, or Rudolf Bechyne, and reflects his life-long interest and involvement in the cultural and political life of the country.

The Lidové noviny file, a smaller but equally important part of the collection, relates to Stránský's activities as editor-in-chief of Lidové noviny, the daily newspaper founded by his father, Adolf Stránský. This series consists of letters written by artists and authors who contributed to the daily, and reflects their every day concerns about publishing issues.

Of special note are also Stránský's writings on the origins of the Czechoslovak exile, its crisis and tasks, as well as lectures on Czech and German relations.

Biographical / historical:
Date Event
1884 January 15
Born, Brno, Czechoslovakia
1907
Received his law degree from Charles University
1918-1925
Member of the Czechoslovak National Democratic Party
1918 October
Member of the National Committee in Brno, which proclaimed Czechoslovakia independent
1918-1920
Represented the Czechoslovak National Democratic Party in the Revolutionary National Assembly
1918-1927
Owner and chief-editor of Lidové noviny
1920
Member of the Czechoslovak Parliament, Czechoslovak National Democratic Party
1921 March
Resigned as member of the Czechoslovak Parliament
1921-1925
Leader of the Moravian Opposition Wing of the Czechoslovak National Democratic Party
1925
Became owner of the publishing house Fr. Borový in Prague
Resigned from the Czechoslovak National Democratic Party and founded the National Labor Party
1929-1938
Member of the Czechoslovak Parliament, Czechoslovak National Socialist Party
1930
The National Labor Party merged with the Czechoslovak National Socialist Party
1938 September 30
Protested, along with a group of other parliament members, president Beneš's accepting the Munich Agreement
1938 December 16
Resigned as member of the Czechoslovak Parliament in protest against president Beneš's signing the Munich Agreement
1939 March
Emigrated to Great Britain
1941 October 27 - 1942 November 12
State Minister for the Ministry of Justice of the Czechoslovak Government in exile
1942 November 12 - 1945 April 5
Minister of Justice of the Czechoslovak Government in exile
1945-1948
Member of the Czechoslovak Parliament, Czechoslovak National Socialist Party
1945 April 4-November 6
Minister of Justice in Fierlinger's Government in Prague
1945 November - 1946
Deputy Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia
1946 July 2 - 1948 February 25
Minister of Education in Gottwald's Government in Prague
1948 February 20
Resigned from his post as Minister of Education, and after the coup d'etat emigrated to Great Britain
1951-1970
Broadcast weekly commentaries on Radio Free Europe under the name of Jan Zedník
1973 August 13
Died, London, Great Britain
Acquisition information:
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 1982.
Physical location:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.

Terms of access:

For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Jaroslav Stránský papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Location of this collection:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives, Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003, US
Contact:
(650) 723-3563
hooverarchives@stanford.edu
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