Božena Němcová

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Grave of Božena Němcová in Vyšehrad Cemetery

Božena Němcová (February 4, 1820, Vienna – January 21, 1862, Prague) was one of the most influential Czech writers of the final phase of the Czech National Revival movement.

1 Biography
2 Speculations on Božena Němcová's real origin
3 Bibliography
- 3.1 Novels
- 3.2 Fairy tales and legends

[edit] Biography

She was born as Barbora Pankel in Vienna, the daughter of Johann Pankel from Lower Austria and Teresie Novotná, a maid of Bohemian origin. In her childhood she lived in the village of Ratibořice, where her grandmother Magdalena Novotná played an important part in her life. Němcová would later write her most famous novel with the main character inspired by her grandmother.

When she was 17 years old, she married the 15 years older Josef Němec, who worked as customs officer and was therefore a state employee. The marriage was arranged by Barbora's parents and became an unhappy one, as the married couple didn't understand each other very well. Němec is said to be a rude and authoritative man. He was a bohemian patriot, which his superiors didn't like and first often transfered him in different locations. Later he lost the job at all. The family had 4 children and suffered from lack of money. Němcová died in powerty, estranged from her husband. The bohemian patriots arranged a magnificent funeral for her.

[edit] Speculations on Božena Němcová's real origin

Some authors question the birthdate and the real origin of Božena Němcová. According to their hypothesis Němcová could have been about 3 - 4 years older and an illegitimate daughter of the noblewoman Kateřina Zaháňská. None of these speculations however have been proven by serious historical research.

[edit] Bibliography

[edit] Novels

Podhorská vesnice
Babička (Grandmother) (1855) – Němcová's best-known novel about a young girl named Barunka (name is a pet form of Barbora) and her childhood with her grandmother in the countryside. The book was inspired by Němcová's own childhood in the village of Ratibořice, where she lived with her parents, siblings and maternal grandmother Magdalena Novotna.