Tomáš G. Masaryk papers, 1887-1998

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Taggert, Spencer L., collector
Title
Tomáš G. Masaryk papers
Dates
1887-1998 (inclusive)
Quantity
10 boxes, (2.5 linear feet)
Collection Number
UUS_COLL MSS 233
Summary
Includes Masaryk's unpublished work, the Spirit of Russia (Russland und Europa), vol. 3, translated into English; Horak's translation of Russia and Europe (Rusko a Europa), vol. 3, in Czech; Taggart's correspondence with Alice G. Masaryk and a law firm concerning the translation; a variety of writings from Masaryk on a broad range of subjects; notes on conversation concerning Masaryk; indexes and speeches of Masaryk in sessions of the Czech Diet and Austrian Parliament; and articles and correspondence concerning communism.
Repository
Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives Division
Special Collections & Archives
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
Logan, UT
84322-3000
Telephone: 4357978248
Fax: 4357972880
scweb@usu.edu
Access Restrictions

No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, the first President of Czechoslovakia, was born on March 7, 1850 in Hodonin, Moravia. During his youth Masaryk worked as a blacksmith and attended the gymnasium in the Moravian capital of Brünn and later in Vienna. In 1872, Masaryk enrolled at Vienna University, and graduated in 1876 with a degree in philosophy. The following year he worked as a private tutor in Leipzig, where he met his future wife, Charlotte Garrigue. For the next few years Masaryk taught as an unsalaried tutor at Vienna University. In 1882, he was appointed Professor Extraordinarius of philosophy at the University of Prague and nominated to a full professorship in 1897. Masaryk's embrace of western ideas in sociology and political science (as opposed to Czech romanticism) can be seen in his writings for two journals; Athenäum and As. In these publications he endeavored to synthesize German idealism and West European positivism and provide a critical examination of Czech culture and science. He wrote extensively on Russian history, panslavism, religion, philosophy, and in strong opposition to Marxism.

Masaryk's religious beliefs changed with time. In 1880, he completely abandoned Catholicism for Protestantism. He later discontinued his affiliation with Christianity and embraced agnosticism.

In the Austrian Reichsrat and the Bohemian Landtag, Masaryk served as deputy of the Young Czech (Liberal) Party from 1891 to 1893. In 1907, he served as deputy for the moderately left liberalist Realist party and strongly resisted the Dual Monarchy's alliance with Germany and its annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1908.

At the onset of World War I, Masaryk journeyed to western Europe to promote the a cause of Czech statehood. From 1914 to 1918, he argued for Czech independence in Switzerland, France, Britain, Italy, Russia, and the United States. In 1917 he organized the Czech Legion after receiving permission from Bolshevik leaders. He also went to the United States where President Wilson recognized him as leader of an independent state on 3 September, 1918. On November 14, he was elected "president and liberator" of Czechoslovakia. He was reelected in 1920, 1927, and 1934. In 1935, at the age of eight-five he retired and handed his responsibilities as president to one of his pupils, Eduard Beneš. Masaryk died in Castle Lana on September 14, 1937.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This manuscript collection includes Masaryk's unpublished work, The Spirit of Russia (Russland und Europa) vol. III translated into English, Horak's translation of Russia and Europe (Rusko a Europa) vol III in Czech, Taggart's correspondence with Alice G. Masaryk and a Law Firm concerning the translation, a variety of writings from Masaryk on a broad range of subjects, notes on conversation concerning Masaryk, indexes and speeches of Masaryk in Sessions of Czech Diet and Austrian Parliament, and articles and correspondence concerning Communism.

Included in a number of folders are guides of information for many parts of the collection. These guides originate from the general guide to the whole collection made by Spencer L. Taggart.

The Thomas G. Masaryk Collection consists of ca. 1156 books and pamphlets by or concerning Masaryk, extensive runs of three newspapers with which the Czech statesman was associated (located in BOOK COLL 45) and the typescripts of his unpublished manuscripts, and a compilation of Masaryk's speeches and actions in the Czech Diet and Austrian Parliament included here.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the Tomáš G. Masaryk Papers must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.

Preferred Citation

Initial Citation: Tomáš G. Masaryk Papers USU_COLL MSS 233, Box [ ]. Special Collections and Archives. Utah State University Merrill-Cazier Library. Logan, Utah.

Following Citations:USU_COLL MSS 233, USUSCA.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Processing Note

Processed in September of 1997

Acquisition Information

The materials that comprise this collection were donated to USU Special Collections & Archives by Spencer L. Taggart in 1977.

Related Materials

Tomáš G. Masaryk Collection Special Collections & Archives BOOK COLL 45

Bibliography

Herwig, Holger H. and Nell M. Heyman. Biographical Dictionary of World War I. Westport, Connecticut, 1982.Stevenson, John. Columbia Dictionary of European History since 1914 . New York, 1992.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Spencer L. Taggart's Acquisition of Masaryk's Unpublished Work, The Spirit of Russia (Russland und Europa) Vol. III from Dr. Oskar Odstrcil; Taggart's Pursuit of the Book's Translation and Publication, 1957-1963Return to Top

There is no Box 1

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
2 1
Picture of Thomas G. Masaryk; Masaryk's Spirit of Russia Background to volume III
undated
2 2
Attachments I, Ia -- Index to Russia and Europe and Correspondence with Rudolph
1957 March 24
2 3
Attachment II -- Correspondence with Alice G. Masaryk
1955 September 26 - 1963 January 22
2 4
Attachment III -- Chapter 1 -- Formula (Translated into English) and Some Manuscript Notes in Czech
undated
2 5
Attachment III -- Chapter 2 -- Nihilism Anarchistic Atheism (Translated into English)
undated
2 6
Attachment III -- Chapter 3 -- Zorima Religious Philosophy (Translated into English)
undated
2 7
Attachment III -- Chapter 4 -- Feuerbach Against The Monk (Translated into English)
undated
2 8
Attachment III -- Chapter 5 -- The Grand Inquisitor (Translated into English)
undated
2 9
Attachment III -- Chapter 2 (4 2) -- Zosima -- Heretic; Dostoevsky -- Skeptic (Translated into English)
undated
2 10
Attachment III -- Chapter 32 -- Titanism and Russian Literature (Translated into English)
undated
2 11
Attachment III -- Chapter 32 -- Titanism and Russian Literature (Copy of German Typescript)
undated
2 12
Attachment IV -- Correspondence with Law Firm Representing Alice G. Masaryk
1958 June - 1959 June
2 13
Attachment ? -- Information from a pamphlet on Soviet Psychiatry} This Information Came from Correspondence from John 7 ; Additional Manuscript Notes
1955 August 29
2 14
Volume III of The Spirit Russia and Europe (Rusko a Europa) by Masaryk - An Outline of the Contents of the Unpublished Manuscript Based on the Czech and German Versions Available -- Prepared by Dr. Ladislav Radimsky
undated

Horak's Translation of Russia and Europe (Rusko a Europa) Vol. III in Czech, 1931Return to Top

Typescripts and Carbon Copies

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
3 1-2
Part l: Preface, Chapters 2, 3, 4
undated
3 3-4
Part II: Chapters 5, 6, 7 (Missing), 8
undated
3 5-6
Part III: Chapters 9, 10, 11, 12
undated
3 7-8
Part IV: Chapters 13 (Parts 1-3. Part 4), 14, 15, 16, 17 (Part 1, 2), 18. 19.20
undated
3 9-10
Part IV: Chapters 21 (Parts 1, 2), 22, 24 (Parts 1, 2), 25 (Parts 1, 2), 26 (Parts 1, 2)
undated

Variety of Writings Mostly from Masaryk on a broad Range of Subjects, 1945-1955Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
4 1
O Slušnosti (Savoir Vivre) (Social Propriety)
Concerning Proper Social Behavior in Czechoslovakia
undated
4 2
Můj pomĕr k literatuře - supplement to Making of the World Revolution entitled - (My Relationship to Literature)
Concerning Masaryk's Relationship to Literature
undated
4 3
Masarykova česká filosofie - (Masaryk's Czech Philosophy)
An Answer to Josef Pekař's Book with the Stone Title
undated
4 4
O periodisaci českych dějin - (On the Periodization of Czech History)
Masaryk's Rebuttal to Pekař's Lecture on the Stone Subject
undated
4 5
Letter to Dr. J. Herben from Masaryk c/o ČAS
Concerning improvement of the Newspaper in ČAS
1914 May 21
4 6
Original Single Sheet from Masaryk's Working File On His View of History at Time of his Dispute with Pekař about Philosophy and Czech History
1912
4 7
List of the 48 Titles to be Reprinted for the 100th Anniversary of Masaryk's Birth; Received from Odstercil (Masaryk's Archivist) in 1947; Notes on Odstercil's Reports on Institute; Reports on Institute; Activities of Institute
1936 - 1950 March 7
4 8
Statement by Dr. Zenkl (Lord Mayor of Prague at this time) on providing a building for the T.G. Masaryk Institute
1955
4 9
Biography of Dostoevsky in German
undated
4 10
Czech Action During World War I Against the Austrian Empire (With Emphasis on Internal Developments) by Spencer Laird Taggart
1998 January 1
4 11
Introduction to the Tomáš G. Masaryk collection, written by Spencer L. Taggart
1983

Notes on Conversation Concerning Masaryk; Speeches of Masaryk in 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sessions of Czech Diet and 11th Session of the Austrian Parliament, 1891-1894Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
5 1
Spencer L. Taggart Notes on Conversation about Masaryk () with Jan Jína, Personal Secretary to President Beneš -- Logan
Typescript and Manuscript
1947 July 3 - 1976
5 2
Spencer L. Taggart Notes on Conversation about Masaryk (May 6, 1947) with Jaroslav Werstadt, Czech Historian and Writer -- Logan
Typescript and Manuscript
1976
5 3-4
Part I: E. 1 -- Index of Masaryk's Activities in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sessions of the Czech Diet
1892-1893
5 5
Speeches -- Czech Diet -- Part I: E. 1. (a) --Part I: E. 1. (I)
undated
5 6
Eight Plates with Pictures, Names, Professions, and Places of Residence of Members of the Czech Diet
1901-1907
5 7
Part I. E. 2. (a) -- Index of Masaryk's Activities in the 11th Session of the Austrian National Assembly
1891-1894
5 8-20
Speeches -- Austrian Parliament -- Part I: E. 2. (b) -- Part I: E. 2. (m)
undated

Speeches, 1892-1948Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Masaryk's Speeches from the 11th Austrian National Assembly (Austrian Parliament. Delegation Budapest, Delegation Wien)
1892
Box Folder
6 1-20
Speeches -- Austrian Parliament -- 1-20 Part I: E. 3. (a) -- Part I: E. 3. (s)
undated
Masaryk's Speeches to the 11th Austrian National Assembly
1893-1894
Box Folder
7 1-13
Speeches -- Austrian Parliament -- Part I: E. 4. (a) -- Part I: E. 4. (m)
undated
7 14-16
Speeches -- Delegation (Budapest) -- Part I: E. 5. (a) -- Part I: E. 5.
undated
7 17-21
Speeches--Delegation (Wien) -- Part I: E. 6. (a)--['art I: E. 6. (e)
undated
Masaryk's Speeches at the 18th, 19th, and 20th Sessions of the House of' Deputies of the Austrian Parliament
1907-1911
Box Folder
8 1
Part I. E. 7. (a) -- Index of Masaryk's Actions in the 18th Session
1907 June 17 - 1909 February 4
8 2-12
Speeches -- Austrian Parliament -- Part I: E. 7. (b) -- Part I :E. 7. (1)
undated
8 13
Part I. E. 8. (a) -- Index to Masaryk's Actions in the 20th Session
1909 March 12 - July 6
8 14-16
Speeches -- Austrian Parliament -- Part I: E. 8. (b) --Part I: E. 8. (d)
undated
8 17
Part I: E. 9 Index of Masaryk's Actions in the 20th Session
1911 July 17 - 1914 March 12
Masaryk's Speeches at the 21 st Session of the House of Deputies of the Austrian National Assembly, and the 44th and 45th Sessions of the House of Delegates of the Austrian National Parliament
1911-1914
Box Folder
9 1
Part I: E. 10. (a) -- Index of Masaryk's Actions in the 21st Session
1911 July 17 - 1914 March 12
9 2-5
Speeches -- Austrian Parliament -- Part I: E. 10. (b) -- Part I: 10. (e)
undated
9 6
Part I: E. 11. (a) -- Index of Masaryk's Actions in the 44th Session
1910 October 12 - 1910 November 18
9 7-13
Speeches -- Vienna Delegation -- Part I: E. 11. (b) -- Part I: E. 11. (h)
undated
9 14
Part I: E. 12. (a) -- Index of Masaryk's Actions in the 45th Session
1910 December 28 - 1911 March 4
9 15-22
Speeches -- Austrian Parliament -- Part I: E. 12. (b) -- Part I: E. 12 (I)
undated
Masaryk's Speeches at the 46th and 47th Sessions of the House of Delegates of the Austrian National Parliament; Masaryk' s Bibliography; Articles and Correspondence Concerning Communism
1911-1912
Box Folder
10 1
Part I: E. 13. (a) -- Index of Masaryk's Actions in the 46th Session
1911 December 28 - 1912 October 16
10 2-5
Speeches -- Austrian Parliament -- Part I: E. 13. (a) -- Part I: E. 13. (e)
undated
10 6
Part I: E. 14. (a) -- Index of Masaryk's Actions n the 47th Session
1912 November 5-22
10 7-9
Speeches -- Austrian Parliament -- Part I: E. 14. (b) -- Part I: E. 14. (d)
undated
10 10
List of Articles by and on Masaryk in Čas
(Typescript, Photocopy, and Original Notes Typescript)
1887-1915
10 11
Article by Amost Heidreil: "Syntetický přehled o vývoji zahrančiní politiky československé po druhé světové válce až do listopadu 1948"
1948
10 12
Notes by Julius Firt on World War II made while in London
undated
10 13
Letter to Spencer Taggart from Julius of the Radio Free Europe -- enclosed in the letter was a memorandum entitled "The Czechoslovak Problem and Radio Free Europe"
undated
10 14
Article "Have Czech and Slovak Exiles Collaborated with Communism?" (Second Part of the Answer to the memorandum of the Slovak Liberation Committee)
undated
10 15
Article by Peter Zenkle Entitled "How They Did It?"
undated

Articles, Reports, and Correspondence Concerning Communism, 1999Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
11 1
Articles in Czechoslovakian and American Newspapers, Congressional Records, and Written Presentations by Peter Zencle concerning Communism in Czechoslovakia
undated
11 2
Articles from Committee of Foreign Affairs and Rudolf Sturm Concerning Czechoslovakia and Communism
undated
11 3
Report: "My Trip to Some of the Free European Countries Undertaken with the Help of Free Europe Committee
1955 September 25 - October 26
11 4
Articles in CAS Cechoslováku v Anglii
undated
11 5
Article in Czechoslovakian
undated
11 6
Correspondence from Ferdinand Peroutka with an enclosed memorandum written by Peroutka and entitled "Was Eduard Benes Guilty?"
undated
11 7
Note from Dr. Joseph Hasek with Enclosed Photostatic Copy and Newspaper Clipping of Article Entitled "Behind The Prague Trials" by Hasek; Portraits of Masaryk from an Unknown Magazine; Newspaper Clipping of Milton Hindu's Book Review' of David Magarshak's Book, GOGOL
undated
11 8
Sarah Langston, "'Without A Shot Being Fired' The Communist Coup D'etat in Czechoslovakia, February 1948 and Its Aftermath" Utah State University
1999
11 9
Photographs and post cards with portraits
undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Personal Names

  • Masaryk, Alice Garrigue, 1879-1966--correspondent.
  • Masaryk, T. G. (Tomáš Garrigue), 1850-1937

Geographical Names

  • Czechoslovakia--Foreign relations--Sources.
  • Czechoslovakia--History--Sources.
  • Czechoslovakia--Politics and government--Sources