Bohuslav Balbín
Bohuslav Balbín was a Czech writer, historian, geographer and Jesuit. He became well known also as an advocate of the Czech language in the time of incoming germanisation of the Czech lands. He was called the "Czech Pliny".
Life
Balbín was born in Hradec Králové into a middle class Roman Catholic family. He was educated mostly in the Jesuit schools, he soon joined the Society of Jesus. After finishing studies in philosophy at University of Olomouc, he taught in Jesuit colleges in Prague, Třeboň, Brno, Jičín, Jindřichův Hradec and Český Krumlov; he was ordained as a priest in 1650.After writing of several textbooks and didactic theatre plays, he also became acquainted with historical sources of archives and libraries. His entire life was devoted to collecting and editing materials about Czech history. His researches have often been utilized by the Bollandists. His association and friendships with noble families was valuable to his research of historical documents.
At the age of 62 he suffered a stroke and needed a scribe to write for him; he died, aged 66, in Prague and is buried at the Church of St. Salvator in Prague.
Work
He wrote over thirty works, the most important from which is Miscellanea Historica regni Bohemiae, in which he described the geography, natural history, and chief historical events of his native land. The work includes brief vitae of prominent Czechs.The sections of the work:
- Miscellanea historica regni Bohemiae - History of the kingdom of Bohemia
- Liber naturalis - The Nature of Bohemia
- Liber popularis - The population
- Liber chorographicus - Topography
- Liber hagiographicus - Czech Saints
- Liber parochialis - The Parishes
- Liber episcopalis - The Archdiocese of Prague
- Liber regalis - Rulers
- Liber epistolaris - Series of letters
- Bohemia Docta - Czech literature and teaching
- Liber de seu curialis magistratibus et officiis curialibus regem Bohemiae - Paper on Courts and Offices of the Czech Crown