Sládek, Joseph Václav

Sládek, Joseph Václav (yô`zĕf väts`läf slä`dĕk), 1845–1912, Czech poet and translator. He lived in the United States from 1868 to 1870. Sládek later taught English in Prague and translated much English and American poetry into Czech, including 32 of Shakespeare's plays. His own lyrics are highly personal and are written in the style of folk poetry. His verses are varied, including short, whimsical creations, poems of personal sorrow, and patriotic works. His major collections include Básnĕ [poems] (1875) and Sluncem a stínem [in sun and shade] (1887).