GB 0369 KAR - Karadzic Collection

1 envelope

GB 0369 KAR 1832 Collection (Fonds) 1 envelope Karadzic , Vuk Stefanovic , 1787-164 , Serbian language reformer

Vuk Stefanovic Karadzic (1787-1864), Serbian language reformer, was born in Trsic, Serbia, then under Turkish rule. In 1813 after a brief period of independence, Serbia was reconquered by the Ottoman Empire and Karadzic was one of many refugees to flee to Vienna. It was here that he met Jernej Kopitar who became an influence on his thinking. Kopitar was a Slovene working as the Austrian Imperial consor of Slavonic subjects. Karadzic's goal became to make the Serb language spoken by peasants under Turkish rule the literary norm in place of the classical style. He also wanted to establish a uniform orthography with a revised and simplified alphabet. In 1815 Prince Milos Obrenovic succeeded in overthowing Turkish rule. From 1829 to 1832 Karadzic served the newly independent state in various ways.

In 1832 Karadzic returned to Vienna after his newly published alphabet was banned by Obrenovic as a result of opposition from the Orthodox Church. Karadzic protested at Obrenovic's policy in his published letter "Letter to Milos Obrenovic". A copy of the original letter (now probably in the National Library of Slovenia) is part of this collection, For much of the period 1832-1859, Karadzic was barred from Serbia (from 1842 to 1859 the Obrenovic family were also in exile). He continued his battle against the old Serb alphabet and for the use of popular language. Karadzic also wrote works on Serbian history and the life and customs of Serbian peasants and published collections of folk songs. He died having largely succeeded in his linguistic aims.

Not known

Copies of Vuk Stefanovic Karadzic's letter to Prince Milos Obrenovic and of his accompanying letter to Jernej Kopitar, 1932

One file

Unrestricted access. Researchers wishing to consult the archives or seeking further information should contact UCL School of Slavonic and East European Studies (SSEES) Library, 16 Taviton Street, London WC1H 0BW.

Copies, subject to the condition of the original, may be supplied for research use only. Requests to publish original material should be submitted to the Librarian.
Serbian

On-line summary guide available on the SSEES website.

Wilson, D, The life and times of Vuk Stefanovic Karadzic 1787-1864: literary, literature and national independence in Serbia (London, 1970)
Revised by Alan Kucia as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description ISAD(G), 2nd edition 2000 and National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 Revised Dec 2002

Not known

Copies of Vuk Stefanovic Karadzic's letter to Prince Milos Obrenovic and of his accompanying letter to Jernej Kopitar, 1932

One file

Unrestricted access. Researchers wishing to consult the archives or seeking further information should contact UCL School of Slavonic and East European Studies (SSEES) Library, 16 Taviton Street, London WC1H 0BW.

Copies, subject to the condition of the original, may be supplied for research use only. Requests to publish original material should be submitted to the Librarian.

• Engels

• Latijn

Serbian

On-line summary guide available on the SSEES website.

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description ISAD(G), 2nd edition 2000 and National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997

• Engels