Karel (Charles) Klostermann 13.2.1848 - 16.7.1923

A Czech writer born on 13^th January 1848 in Alpine-Austrian Haag am Hausruck.

Representative of realistic country fiction.

In 1865-69 he studied medicine in Vienna, for some time he worked as an editor of 'Wanderer' magazine and as a tutor.
Since 1878 he worked as a professor of French and German languages at a German grammar school in Plzen.

He started his career as a writer with his sketches and feuilletons in late 1880 ´s. In his novels and short stories he described traditions, life and individual types of people of the Sumava region (for example woodcutters, rafters and poachers), its harsh countryside. With psychological penetrability he pictured the destructive influence of a fast enrichment, break-up of farm families and disunion caused by home-leaving. In one of his novels he described the crisis of the glass industry in the Sumava region in the first half of 19th century. To the top of his work belongs a novel where he developed typical features of South-Bohemian farming and he described country peculiarities.

He wrote in Czech and German.

He died on 16^th July 1923 n Steken near Strakonice.

The writer, Charles Klostermann lived for a short time in Štěkeň. He wasn't a native. He was born on 13^th January 1848 in Alpine-Austrian Haag/H. In 1860 his father accepted the position of physician to Marshal Windischgraetz and the family moved to Štěkeň. He attended school in Klatovy, and later in Pisek, spending his holidays in the splendid chateau and park. He fished the River Otava and nearby pools (a hobby which developed into a lifelong interest). In 1862 Marshal Windischgraetz died and Klostermann's family moved from Steken to Mount Kasperske. Charles Klostermann became a writer. His writings tell of the Sumava mountains and the people living there in sometimes very harsh conditions. Štěkeň features in his book Posumavske Rapsody in a story called "Two Guards", and also in the novel Ecce Homo in which the protagonist was modelled on the local priest, Vendelin Zbonek.

In 1908 he retired and from then on spent nearly every summer in Štěkeň, revisiting his childhood haunts. Initially he resided at Velan's house (No 75) and from 1919 at the chateau, where on 16^th July 1923 he died . He is buried in Plzen cemetery alongside a native of Strakonice, National Artist, Josef Skupa, who also spent his childhood in Štěkeň.

Klostermann's world exists no longer, except in his writings. The people of Štěkeň have taken him to their hearts and regard him as an honorary citizen.