Biografický slovník českých zemí. Tradice a výhledy české biografické encyklopedistiky

This article provides a lucid summary of the history of Czech biographical lexicography, focused primarily upon the national history, from the second half of the 19th century until the present time. It pays a close attention to the gap caused in Czech biographical encyclopaedic research by nearly a half-a-century of totalitarian regimes throughout 1939-1945 and 1948-1989. It also recognizes attempts to overcome this hiatus at the turn of the 20th century, which have culminated in the gradual compilation of this Biographical Dictionary of the Czech Lands.