France Preseren

Poet. He was an early 19th-century Slovenian poet who gained a prominent place in the nation's literary history. The lyrics of his 1844 poem "A Toast" became the Slovene National Anthem in 1989. His 1834 work of fifteen sonnets, "A Wreath of Sonnets", was inspired by his romantic interest in Julia Primic, a woman who rejected him and married another man. Other works include the 1830 poem, "Farewell to Youth" and his sonnets, "Love Sonnets" in 1831 and "Sonnets of Unhappiness" in 1834. Preserving his country's culture, he wrote the first Slovene ballad and first Slovene epic. Besides writing in his native language, he was published in German. His poems have been translated into at least ten languages including English. Born in the family of a successful farmer, he was home schooled by his mother and uncles, who were Roman Catholic priests. In 1821 he studied law in Vienna, eventually graduating in 1828. He was unsuccessful in practicing law for various reasons until 1846 after settling in Kranj . He became a school teacher for a short time. Throughout his life in the unstable government of the Austrian Empire, his talent was not recognized and his fame mainly came after death. Following Primic's rejection and the drowning death of a close friend, he battled with alcoholism, depression and according to sources, attempted suicide twice, which all impacted his writing. In 1847 a collection of his poems was published. He was featured on the 1000 Slovenian Tolar Banknote. In 1905 a square with a monument was named in his honor in the Slovenian capital city of Ljubljana. As of 1945, his date of death is a national holiday. According to genealogical sources, his actual date of birth could be December 2, 1800. He was buried in a cemetery in Kranj, which became a park, the Prešeren Grove, after the cemetery was removed in 1939. His tall upright grave marker remains in the park as well as his sculptured bust and the mausoleum of Majdič.