The Modern Novel

Biography

Jiří Karásek ze Lvovic was born in Prague in 1871. His family was poor. He had an early fascination with death, with several of his siblings dying in childhood and his father dying in 1890. He began to study theology at Charles University in Prague, but soon dropped out, doubting his vocation as a Catholic priest. He wanted to be a teacher but could not afford to study for it so became a civil servant in the post office. He later became the director of the Postal Museum and Archives. He continued to work, as he could not earn enough from his writing to support himself. Karásek was gay and he published a collection of homoerotic poetry, which was banned, and he also supported Oscar Wilde during his trial. He studied French and read widely in French though his interest in decadence was influenced by Polish writer Stanisław Przybyszewski, with whom he established a working relationship. His travels to Vienna for his job introduced him to other writers and artists and also to an aristocrat, with whom he fell in love. It was at this time, under the influence of his lover, that he developed his art collection, which became very large. He was drawn more to Catholicism in later life. As literary decadence went out of fashion, his work sold less and, in later life, he wrote much less. He died in 1951.

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Jiří Karásek ze Lvovic
Jiří Karásek ze Lvovic