Manžel slavné ženy - nemodelový příklad. Dr. Josef Novák 1847-1907

The paper concentrates on the life of Josef Novák, husband of Teréza Nováková, a writer at the turn of the 20th century, who dealt with the realistic rural novel, occupied herself with ethnographic research and was an activist in the feminist emancipation movement. The article is based on family correspondence, stored in the Museum of Czech Literature.Josef Novák, a grammar school teacher, was aware of the qualities of his wife. He loved her deeply throughout his whole life and it was his decision (which he never regretted) to give up is career as a scientist. He was interested in her professional ethnographic work and as an expert in Czech studies he helped her with stylistic problems and proof reading. When his wife was absent, he was able to take care of their children, without being ashamed of it. He was devoted to building their cottage in Eastern Bohemia, where his family spent summers and where his wife draw inspiration for her fictions, as well as ethnographic works. together with his wife he lived through family tragedies when several of their children died. He provided his wife with moral as well as practical support.