| Ján Hollý | |
|---|---|
Slovak poet and translator |
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| Born | March 24, 1785 Borský Mikuláš |
| Died | April 14, 1849 (aged 64) Dobrá Voda |
| Occupation | Poet and translator |
| Nationality | Slovak |
Ján Hollý (24 March 1785, Borský Mikuláš – 14 April 1849, Dobrá Voda) was a Slovak poet and translator. He was the first greater Slovak poet to write exclusively in the newly standardized literary Slovak language. His predecessors mostly wrote in various regional versions of Czech, Slovakized Czech or Latin. Hollý translated Virgil's Aeneid and wrote his own epic poetry in alexandrine verse to show that the Slovak language recently standardized by Anton Bernolák was capable of expressing complex poetic forms.[1]
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Hollý studied in Skalica, Bratislava and Trnava. He was a Catholic priest at Madunice near Piešťany, where he wrote all his major works sitting below a big tree. Hollý was an active member of the Slovak national revival movement. He used the topic of Great-Moravian ruler Svätopluk to encourage the nation, and is regarded as the founding father of Slovak poetry.[2]
A nobleminded patriot, proud of the historical roots of his nation, Hollý appreciated the humanity of Slovaks, their hard-working nature, peacefulness, love and respect for freedom.