Karel Hynek Macha (November 16, 1810 - November 6, 1836) - poet and novelist, the most important representative of Czech Romanticism. Author lyric songs Maj.

Karel Hynek Macha was born in Prague in Mal� Strana in the House of the White Eagle. (The original building was torn down and replaced by a new, Macha monument there is a memorial plaque). After her mother, who came from a musical family, inherited the musical talent, his father worked as an assistant in the mill.

Macha spent his childhood in a slum near the church. Petra, where the families affected by the financial crisis in 1811 moved.

In the years 1824-1830 he studied at the New Town grammar school, then went to the University of Prague, where he was educated in philosophy and law. Started writing poetry for his grammar school years. Initially, in German, later, thanks to the influence of Josef Jungmann, whose lectures he attended, only in English. Both languages ??indeed excellent and managed to learn he also Polish.

The first poem, entitled Saint Ivan , Macha was published in 1831 in the journal Evening Thrust.

The most famous poet's achievement became lyrical song May , which is the only published as a book still in Machovo life. The work, which was later inscribed in the history of Czech literature, however, the author had to go alone. Then critique the song in its entire width has not been able to appreciate, and so the full recognition of Maya occurred after more than two decades, thanks to the artistic group around Jan Neruda and V�t�zslava H�lka (M�jovci).

Macha was also a novelist. He planned four-part historical novel called Cat , finish he managed only a portion of K�ivoklad . In fact, only completed novel remained Gypsies , work however due to censorship came up after Macha's death in 1857. Originally planned cycle Pictures of my life Stihl author only stories Evening at Bezd�z and Marinka.

In 1836 Karel Hynek Macha wanted to marry a girl Lori, with whom he already had a child. However, he contracted an infectious disease (cholera or typhoid apparently) that on November 6 of that year died. In 1939, Macha's body moved to Vy�ehrad: event became a national demonstration against the German occupation. The song May is amongst the most published Czech books.