Lincoln in the Czech Republic

[L Verge]

Stick with me here 'cause it's another personal experience that brought joy and meaning to what I do for a living at Surratt House!

About twenty years ago, I received a letter from a 15-year-old in Plzen, the Czech Republic (we know Plzen as Pilsner, home of that beer). Jan Rychlik had developed an interest in Abraham Lincoln and his assassination through studying U.S. history through USSR textbooks. You can imagine some of the "misinformation" and "slants" on the truth that had to be overcome. There were a few quirks in translations also, but luckily I had someone in the Public Affairs Office of the agency that owns us who had a Catholic priest who spoke the language.

About 5-6 years went by with Jan and I corresponding (sure wish I had email then!). One day, a taxi pulled up outside our visitors' center and a handsome young man got out and came inside asking for me. It was Jan. It just so happened that Ford's Theatre was having one of their special afternoons of speakers that day, and some big names were on the agenda. Off we went to D.C. Jan was impressed with the speakers, but they were more impressed with him. You can imagine what that did to this old teacher's heart...

Jan also took the time to travel to Italy to visit the various outposts of Rome where John Surratt had served under the Papal Guard. He sent pictures - mainly of the town of Veletri - that looked like the town was still encapsulated in the mid-1800s.

We had lost touch over the past few years, but I received a letter from him over the holidays that I would like to share with you:

I see I have somehow "disappeared" from view. My only apology is that I always wished to let know about myself together with a new contribution to the Surratt Courier.
The intended topic has been how the Czech contemporary press informed about the assassination. It seems there were pretty much rumors about what was happening in the U.S., but it is quite natural for second hand accounts. What I found definitely more interesting is the local reflection of Lincoln's legacy -- not just for the U.S., but globally and in particular for the Czechs who then aspired for more national freedoms within the Austrian Empire. Now, with several old newspapers available on line it should be easier to do the research, so I promise to come with something for the Courier in 2015.
I think you already know that I treated the wartime Reconstruction topic in my Master Thesis as well, focusing on comparison of unionist movement and Lincoln policies in Louisiana and Arkansas. The thesis was well received and based on it I was able to apply for a national degree in addition to the MA.
Since then I have occupied positions in state administration. Curiously enough, wherever I was working - first at the Dep't. of Education, then at the Dep't of Interior (migration affairs) and now at the Cabinet Office - I have not dealt with the field of my studies but, quite to the contrary, with the EU affairs. I am working and living in Prague but often return to Plzen (not only but also to collect Surratt Couriers).
By the way - our present Defense Secretary, formerly actor and diplomat, dubbed Daniel Day Lewis in Czech version of Steven Spielberg's Lincoln and was awarded for the role.
Good luck with the Surratt affairs and in particular with the Surratt Courier and the events of the forthcoming anniversary.

Sincerely,

JAN

[Eva Elisabeth]

Most impressive, to say the least!

[RJNorton]

I second Eva. What a great story, Laurie, and thank you for sharing it.

[Eva Elisabeth]

Yes, thanks for sharing!!!

(12-29-2014 02:04 PM)L Verge Wrote:  Jan also took the time to travel to Italy to visit the various outposts of Rome where John Surratt had served under the Papal Guard. He sent pictures - mainly of the town of Veletri - that looked like the town was still encapsulated in the mid-1800s.

Would love to see the pictures...Did he write an article about this for the Surratt Courier?

[L Verge]

I'm sure that the pictures must be in the files somewhere, but that narrows the search down to about 300 separate snapshots, not including the "official" historical photos. Jan has never written anything (yet) for the Courier. His photos just had brief comments identifying them, if I remember correctly.