Karel Slavíček

Karel Slavíček (; 12 December 1678 – 24 September 1735) was a Jesuit missionary and scientist, the first Czech sinologist and author of the first precise map of Beijing.

Biography

Early life and studies in the Czech lands

Karel Slavíček was born in a house called ("By the Sun") on the main square in Jimramov, a small town straddling the historical border between Bohemia and Moravia. His father, Václav Vojtěch Slavíček, was a teacher and town councillor writer. After finishing Gymnasium (school) in Brno, Slavíček 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.

After finishing studies in Prague he went to teach in Jičín, subsequently lecturing mathematics at the University of Wrocław, 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.