Adolf Heyduk


Adolf Heyduk was a distinguished Czech poet and writer. Many of his poems were later set to music by Antonín Dvořák. The best known and most widely performed is the poignant and tender Songs My Mother Taught Me with its hauntingly exquisite setting, included in the repertoire of many renowned instrumentalists and vocalists.

Life

Born in Rychmburk, he began his studies in Prague in 1850. After finishing his studies in 1859, he became a teacher in Prague, and later in Písek. In 1876, he began to teach at the Prague's gymnasium, and became the chairman of the literary section of the Umělecká beseda association. He married in Písek in 1877. His two daughters died.

Work

Lyric poetry
Epic poetry