Nationality Czech Doctoral advisor Jakub Kresa | Alma mater University of Olomouc Name Karel Slavicek | |
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Born December 24, 1678
Jimramov, Bohemia/Moravia, Kingdom of Bohemia ( 1678-12-24 ) Died August 24, 1735(1735-08-24) (aged 56)
Beijing, China Fields Cartography, Hebreistics, Astronomy, Mathematics, Musicology, Sinology Institutions Royal Court of Kangxi Emperor | ||
Karel Slavicek, (Chinese: 严嘉乐), (December 12, 1678 – September 24, 1735) was a Jesuit missionary and scientist, the first Czech sinologist and author of the first precise map of Beijing.
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Early life and studies in the Czech lands
Karel Slavicek was born in a house called Czech: U Slunce ("By the Sun") on the main square in Jimramov, a small town straddling the historical border between Bohemia and Moravia. His father, Vaclav Vojtech Slavicek, was a teacher and town councillor writer. After finishing Gymnasium (school) in Brno, Slavicek entered the Jesuit order as a novice in 1694. Later he studied at Faculty of Philosophy and Faculty of Theology of Olomouc University. After finishing his studies, he stayed at the University as a teacher of mathematics and Hebrew language and history. Later he went to Prague, where he studied Theology at Charles University. He was ordained as a priest in 1707. Astronomy soon became his hobby. During his studies in Prague Slavicek took part in making precise map of the capital.
After finishing studies in Prague he went to teach in Jicin, subsequently lecturing mathematics at the University of Wroclaw, finally also returning to the University of Olomouc, where he obtained Doctorate of Philosophy, became professor of mathematics and, in 1712, a fully-fledged member of the Jesuit Order . In 1714 he went to Brno, where his work involved assisting his former Olomouc professor Jakub Kresa. Soon after this he decided to become missionary. Because of his knowledge of mathematics as well as music, it was decided that he should be sent to China.
In 1715 he left Brno for Prague, where he joined Ignaz Kogler. Together they went to Lisbon, where they joined with a Jesuit from Portugal. On March 13, 1716 they left for China. It took them 170 days to get there, surviving a major storm, during which many of their belongings were damaged.
In China
After reaching Macao they acquired local clothes and adopted local haircuts. On February 3, 1717 Slavicek was introduced to the Kangxi Emperor in Beijing, who employed him as court musician. (Slavicek was a Spinet player).
In 1717 Slavicek made the first precise map of Beijing, putting to use know-how obtained previously while working on the map of Prague. At the same time he clarified the latitude of Beijing.
Slavicek soon became ill and left Beijing in order to recover away from the city. Meanwhile, the Kangxi Emperor was succeeded in 1722 by the Yongzheng Emperor, who was much less friendly towards Christians. Yongzheng ordered all the Jesuits in China to be accommodated in Beijing: consequently Slavicek had to return there.
Slavicek learned the Chinese language rather fast. He worked on astronomy and mathematics and compiled a Treatise on Chinese music: however this treatise has not survived. Although forced to move back to Beijing, Slavicek did not become isolated. Indeed, he was in frequent contact by letter with European scientists, such as Stephane Souciet and Guillaume de L'Isle. Many of the letters have been lost, but those that survive provide insight to Slavicek's life in China, and are now housed in the library of Strahov Monastery.
Slavicek died after 18 years in China; he was succeeded by another Czech Jesuit Jan Walter from Bilina.