About Jan Arnošt Smoler
Jan Arnošt Smoler (German: Johann Ernst Schmaler; born 3 March 1816, Merzdorf, Boxberg, Saxony – died 13 June 1884, Bautzen) was a Sorbian philologist and writer. He played a vital role in promoting the Sorbian languages in the 19th century. == Biography == Jan Arnošt Smoler's father was a Protestant cantor. In 1823 he took up a position in Lohsa, where Jan Arnošt graduated from elementary school before moving to Bautzen grammar school in 1827. Although only German was taught there, Smoler acquired extensive knowledge of his native Sorbian language in private circles during his high school years. In 1836 he began studying theology at the University of Breslau. In 1839 he finished his studies and returned to his parents' house in Lohsa for almost three years. During this time, together with Joachim Leopold Haupt and Handrij Zejler, he brought together the important Sorbian song collection “The folk songs of the Wends in Upper and Lower Lusatia”. In recognition of his services to the Wendish language, the Wendische Predigergesellschaft zu Leipzig awarded him honorary membership in 1839. In 1847 Smoler was a co-founder of the Sorbian culture and science association Maćica Serbska.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.