Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.53745/ccp.49.95.6
Correspondence between Professor Ljudevit Slamnik and Franjo Rački
Maja Polić
; Institute for Historical and Social Sciences in Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Abstract
Ljudevit Slamnik (1827–1908), a religion teacher and director of the former Imperial Royal Upper Gymnasium in Rijeka, maintained a friendship with Franjo Rački (1828-1894), a canon, politician, member of parliament, advocate of South Slavic political ideas, and the first president of the then Yugoslav (now Croatian) Academy of Sciences and Arts. Their relationship and the political and social circumstances of the time, is illuminated through fourteen letters that Slamnik wrote to Rački between of the then Yugoslav 1863 and mid-1877. These letters, which are kept in the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts Archive as part of the Franjo Rački Legacy collection, have provided insight into numerous previously unknown aspects of their interactions. The content of the article explores how political conditions influenced the functioning of the gymnasium, particularly with regard to the introduction of the Croatian language into everyday use, as well as the broader political situation in Rijeka. Slamnik also shared detailsRački played an important role as, including financial hardships resulting from family misfortunes, and the challenges posed by Rački’s nephew Vinko, who proved troublesome for both correspondents. Additionally, the letters shed light on specific educational matters, in which Rački played an important role as a school advisor and inspector of the Royal Dalmatian-Croatian Slavonian Governor’s Council, played a significant role. Moreover, the correspondence touches upon political developments in which Rački was actively involved as a participant in high-level politics. Other topics of conversation include publishing activities and an ethnographic exhibition. It is clear from these letters that Slamnik was involved in these matters, a fact that was previously unknown, as was the extent and nature of his involvement.
Keywords
Ljudevit Slamnik; Franjo Rački; Rijeka; gymnasium; educational circum stances; family
Hrčak ID:
333244
URI
Publication date:
8.7.2025.
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