Pedagogue Josef Soukup

The theme of my thesis is the patriotic pedagogue Josef Věnceslav Soukup (1819-1882) whose life was full of feverish activity in the educational system. Moreover he was a prolific author of textbooks (one of his famous is The Technological Natural History) and musical works - we can mention his Wreath of fine songs which includes the song Wayfarer that is known for today. In music he paid attention to carols and Christmas songs and plays as well (the most famous is The Young Shephers of Bethlehem). J. V. Soukup excelled in almost every field, not only in pedagogy and music but also in drawing (he even taught Mikoláš Aleš, the well-known Czech painter), chemistry, technology and cultivation of plants. Moreover he contributed to many pedagogical magazines. The beginnins of his teacher's career were not easy, he strained for an appropriate position and during that time he had hardly anything to eat. He gave private lessons for food and played in pubs with the band of musicians to earn some money. However, as really hardworking and diligent student he got stipendium and thus he had not have any financial problems since that time. He knew K. S. Amerling (a great pedagogue who participated in the efforts of a higher girls' education) whose lectures he attended and was influenced by his philosophy. Josef Věnceslav..