EDUARD BENEŠ (1884–1948)
Life
Eduard Beneš was born on 28 May 1884 in Kožlany near Rakovník. He came from the family of a small farmer and trader. After finishing secondary school he studied at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in Prague.
He continued his studies in France and Switzerland, especially at the Sorbonne in Paris. In 1908 he obtained a doctorate in philosophy. After returning to Prague he worked as a professor of sociology at Charles University.
Cooperation with Masaryk and the creation of Czechoslovakia
Even before the First World War Beneš became one of the closest collaborators of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk. After the outbreak of the war he left Austria-Hungary and helped organize the Czechoslovak resistance abroad.
Together with Masaryk and Milan Rastislav Štefánik he became one of the leading figures of the foreign resistance movement. His diplomatic work played a major role in securing international recognition for the future Czechoslovak state.
After the establishment of Czechoslovakia in 1918 he became Minister of Foreign Affairs. He held this office until 1935 and became one of the most prominent diplomats of the interwar period.
Between 1921 and 1922 he also served as Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia.
President of the Republic
After the abdication of President Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, Beneš was elected President of Czechoslovakia in 1935.
Following the Munich Agreement in 1938 he was forced to resign and go into exile. He first lived in France and after its occupation moved to Great Britain in 1940.
Government in exile
In London Beneš established and led the Czechoslovak government-in-exile, which gradually gained recognition from the Allied powers. He thus became the central political figure of the Czechoslovak resistance abroad during the Second World War.
Under his leadership the consequences of the Munich Agreement were gradually annulled and the international position of Czechoslovakia restored.
Return and final years
After the Second World War Beneš returned to Czechoslovakia and again became President in 1945.
Following the communist coup in February 1948 he came under strong political pressure and resigned from office in June 1948.
Beneš in Jáchymov
Eduard Beneš visited Jáchymov three times during his lifetime, in 1927, 1937 and 1947. His visits were connected with the international reputation of the Jáchymov radium spa.
Death
Eduard Beneš died on 3 September 1948 in his villa in Sezimovo Ústí.
