Fran Levstik

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article does not cite any references or sources. (March 2008)
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Fran Levstik (September 28, 1831 - November 16, 1887) was a Slovenian writer, political activist, playwright and critic. He was born in Spodnje Retje near Velike Lašče in Lower Carniola (then part of the Austrian Empire, today in Slovenia) in a peasant Slovenian family.

Levstik was the first notable writer of Slovenian epic prose. Among his most famous works are the short tale Martin Krpan, which became a classic work of Slovene literature, and the itinerary Popotovanje iz Litije do Čateža, whose main objective is actually that of a literary manifesto. In the critical essay Napake slovenskega pisanja, he exposed his views on the development of the Slovenian literary language.

Levstik was one of the main exponents of the Young Slovenes, a progressive and radical political group akin to the Young Czechs in the Czech Lands that challanged the then prevailing influence of conservatives, led by Janez Bleiweis, within the Slovenian National Movement. In his late years, he grew closer to Pan-Slavist ideals.

Levstik had a great influence on future generations of Slovenian authors of national liberal views, especially Josip Jurčič, Josip Stritar, Janko Kersnik, Anton Aškerc, Janez Trdina and Ivan Tavčar.

He died in Ljubljana and is buried in the Navje cemetery.