Dějiny pražského Archivu Jana Patočky a co jim předcházelo

This paper presents a short biography of Jan Patocka, as well as biographical data of the author in connection to the life and work of Jan Patocka. The paper describes Patocka's academic activity at Charles University between 1968 and 1972, how he continued by giving private underground seminars in the dark years of 1972 to 1976, and how his engagement culminated in the dissident movement Charter 77. The author explains how the unofficial underground Patocka Archive was established on the very day of Patocka's death, even before the terrible events around his funeral. Before the official Patocka Archive was founded on the 1st of January, 1990, many volumes of his works were edited secretly during the period of 1977 to 1989. This made it possible to continue successfully publishing the series of the Complete Works of Jan Patocka after 1990.