Josef Hrabák (1833-1921)

Personality in Mining section

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Prof. Dr Ing. Josef Hrabák was born on 13th April 1833 in Sirá near Rokycany.

Court council, mining expert, university teacher and internationally-recognized scientist.

From 1853 to 1856 Josef Hrabák studied Mining Academy in Banská Štiavnica and later began to work in State Mining Plant in the same Slovakian city. After practice in 1862, he became mining assistant in Mining Academy in Leoben where he later gave lectures on technical mathematics and mining engineering. In 1864 he was transferred to mining plant in Příbram a worked there until the end of his life in 1921. After practice in mining service in 1867, he was appointed professor of mining and metallurgical engineering in Mining Academy in Příbram where he worked until 1899. He was director of the academy twice, from 1879 to 1880 and later from 1885 to 1888. His scientific research and literary work contained about 50 contributions either in books or journals. The works were published from 1864 to 1909. He became an internationally-recognised scientist in the field of steam engines theories, mining engineering and mining ropes. Apart from others, he was the author of dictionaries on mining and metallurgical terminology. His works were translated to German, English and Russian. He was also a pioneer of organised Czech hiking.

Prof. Dr Ing. Josef Hrabák was one of the most influential personalities of Czech science and technology of 19th and beginning of the 20th century. He also became representative of the only Mining University located in Central Bohemia Region (Mining Academy, Mining University in Příbram). As the author of German-Czech mining and metallurgical dictionary he fundamentally contributed to the creation of Czech technical terminology. He’s connected to Central Bohemia Region due to his participation in Klub českých turistů (Club of Czech Tourists) and publishing of geography pieces.

Prof. Dr Ing. Josef Hrabák

He died on 15th July 1921 in Příbram.

Author: PaedDr. Josef Velfl, ředitel Hornického muzea Příbram