Professor Dr Frantisek Šmahel FBA

Born on 17th August, 1934 at Trhová Kamenice (Czech Republic);1953 leaving examination at Grammar School, Chrudim; 1953-1954 collier at Ostrava; 1954-1959 study at the Faculty of Philosophy, Charles University, Prague; 1959-1963 military service, director of the Museum at Litvínov; 1963 University doctorship (PhDr.); 1965 the second degree (CSc. = PhD.); 1964-1974 Research Fellow at the Institute of History, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Prague; 1975-1979 tram-driver at Prague; 1980-1989 researcher at the Museum of the Hussite Movement, Tábor; 1990 the third degree (DrSc.); 1990-1998 Director of the Institut of History, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic; 1993-1998 Head of the Departement of Medieval Studies at the Faculty of Philosophy, Charles University, Prague; 1998-2004: Director of the Centre for medieval Studies; 2004: Vicedirector of the Centre for medieval Studies (present position). 2006: dr.h.c. University of Hradec Králové; 2007: dr.h.c. University of Pardubice; dr.h.c. University of South Bohemia in Ceské Budejovice. His research interests include general questions regarding Bohemian and Central European history of the Late Middle Ages (early Humanism, Charles University, Hussite Revolution and Reformation).