Vítězslav Hálek

Vítězslav Hálek (also known as Vincenc Hálek; ; 5 April 1835 – 8 October 1874) was a Czech poet, writer, journalist, dramatist and theatre critic.

Life
Hálek was born in Dolínek, Austrian Empire, today part of Odolena Voda in the Czech Republic. In 1841–1842, he lived in Zálezlice.

After completing his studies at gymnasium in Prague Hálek refused to go on to study at seminary. He didn't finish his philosophical studies and instead decided to become a writer. Beginning in 1861, he worked as an editor in Národní listy, later helping publish newspapers and journals (Lumír, Květy or Zlatá Praha, which he founded). He worked as a journalist until his death in Prague in 1874. He died suddenly of pneumonia.

He is considered one of the most important representatives of the May School, along with Jan Neruda.

Style
In his time, his writing was very popular, in part due to his optimistic and relaxed writing style.

Notable works

 * Večerní písně (Evening Songs), 1859
 * V přírodě (In the Nature), 1872
 * Antonín Dvořák, Vítězslav Hálek: The Heirs of the White Mountain, Op. 30, B 134