František Xaver Šalda (1867-1937) was a Czech literary critic, writer, and professor who played a significant role in shaping the modern Czech literature and culture. He is considered one of the most influential figures in Czech literary history and his work continues to be studied and admired today.
Born in Prague, Šalda grew up in a family of intellectuals and was exposed to literature from a young age. He studied philosophy and literature at Charles University in Prague and later became a professor at the same university. He also taught at other prestigious institutions such as the University of Vienna.
Šalda's literary criticism was characterized by his deep understanding of Czech literature, its history, and its cultural context. He believed that literature should reflect the reality of life and society, and he often criticized works that he felt were detached from this principle. His writings were known for their clarity, depth, and originality.
Apart from being a critic, Šalda was also a prolific writer himself. He wrote essays, short stories, novels, plays, and poetry. His works often explored themes such as love, death, morality, and human nature. He was also known for his translations of foreign literature into Czech.
