Adam František Kollár – the Scholar from Terchová Who Advised the Empress

Author of the artwork: Josef Hauzinger

Did you know that Terchová isn’t only the birthplace of the legendary outlaw Juraj Jánošík, but also of a teacher, historian, and advisor to Empress Maria Theresa?

His name was Adam František Kollár, and he was known as the “Slovak Socrates” or “the scholar from Terchová.”

From a Mountain Village to Vienna

Adam František Kollár was born in 1718 in Terchová.

Although he came from humble beginnings, he showed exceptional talent from an early age – gifted in languages, history, and philosophy.

After studying in Trnava and Vienna, he became a librarian at the Imperial Court Library, and later even a personal advisor to Empress Maria Theresa.

“The Man Who Invented Ethnology”

Kollár was one of the first thinkers to study the relationship between nations, culture, and language – which is why historians consider him the founder of modern ethnology. He was a true polyglot, fluent in Latin, Greek, German, Hungarian, Croatian, and several other languages.

He also contributed to:

• educational reform in the Habsburg monarchy,

• the preservation of historical manuscripts and chronicles,

• the spread of Enlightenment ideas throughout Hungary.

A Slovak at the Imperial Court

Although he lived and worked in Vienna, he never forgot where he came from. He proudly described himself as a “Slovak from Hungary” and often wrote about the importance of education, equality, and justice among the nations of the empire.

A Legacy That Lives On

Adam František Kollár died in 1783 in Vienna, but his legacy continues to this day. He stands as proof that even from a small mountain village beneath the Rozsutec peak, a person can rise to influence an entire era.

Next time you visit Terchová, remember that alongside Jánošík, this is also the birthplace of a scholar who advised an empress. Two very different men, yet both sharing the same roots – courage, wisdom, and the heart of the mountains.