Reading in the Sobotka Area in the First Half of the 19th Century – Readers, Book and Library Owners

Abstract

The article provides information on the cultural life of the small town of Sobotka near Jičín and its surroundings during the National Revival. In its short introduction, it presents its main cultural activities from the 14th century while focusing on significant figures of the end of the 18th century and the first half of the 19th century: the burgher Raymund Šolc and the priests Antonín Marek, František Vetešník and Damián Šimůnek. It draws particular attention to their libraries and the spread of Czech books. It also mentions other important inhabitants of the town, such as the saleswoman Barbora Pavienská or the shoemaker Josef Novák.