Original scientific paper
Ivan Kostrenčić-Metel Ožegović Correspondence in the Archive of Croatian
Ivica Zvonar
; Hrvatska akademija znanosti i umjetnosti, Odsjek za povijesne znanosti, Strossmayerov trg 2, HR-10000 Zagreb
Abstract
The correspondence of Croatian politician and benefactor Metel Ožegović kept in the archives of the Croatian Academy of Arts and Sciences consists of 20 letters received from Ivan Kostrenčić, the renowned Croatian university librarian and cultural activist. The letters illustrate certain events concerning their private lives and prove their friendly relationship. A lot can be learnt of their businesses and finances and their connections with other eminent publicly relevant persons in Croatia as well as of the current affairs at Zagreb University and the Central Croatian Cultural and Publishing Society/ Matica hrvatska. In this context, the letters are important for the development of library profession in Croatia, the history of the National University Library which was run by Kostrenčić 1875-1911. Kostrenčić observed and criticised some phenomena of the contemporary society considering them apathetic, immoral, indolent, wicked, seeing the nation suffering from high taxes, no-good administration and courts which had lost control and reputation. His views of the future were gloomy and pessimistic.
The paper is to present the significance of interesting Kostrenčić- Ožegović letter-exchange thus helping the scholars and wider public to better value their life and work
Keywords
Metel Ožegović; Ivan Kostrenčić; correspondence; Croatian history; 19th century
Hrčak ID:
101054
URI
Publication date:
1.3.2013.
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