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Title: Jaroslav Stránský papers
Date (inclusive): 1894-1970
Collection Number: 82075
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material:
Czech
Physical Description:
8 manuscript boxes
(3.3 Linear Feet)
Abstract: Speeches and writings, radio broadcast transcripts, and correspondence, relating to politics and culture in Czechoslovakia,
and to conditions in Czechoslovakia under communism.
Creator:
Stránský, Jaroslav, 1884-1973
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
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.
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1982.
[Identification of item], Jaroslav Stránský papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Also available on microfilm (7 reels).
| 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 |
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.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Statesmen -- Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia -- Politics and government
Czechoslovakia -- Civilization