Jan Masaryk

Jan Masaryk
Foreign Minister of Czechoslovakia
In office 21 July 1940 – 10 March 1948
President	Edvard Beneš
Preceded by	German occupation
Succeeded by	Vladimír Clementis
Czechoslovakia Ambassador to the United Kingdom
In office 1925 – December 1938
Preceded by	Vojtěch Mastný
Succeeded by	Max Lobkowicz
Personal details
Born	Jan Garrigue Masaryk 14 September 1886 Prague, Austria-Hungary
Died	10 March 1948(1948-03-10) (aged 61) Prague, Czechoslovakia
Cause of death	Disputed – see text
Parents	Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk

Jan Garrigue Masaryk (14 September 1886 – 10 March 1948) was a Czech diplomat and politician. He was the Foreign Minister of Czechoslovakia from 1940 to 1948. American journalist John Gunther called him "a brave, honest, turbulent, and impulsive man".^[1]

Masaryk was born in Prague. He was the son of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, the first president of Czechoslovakia, and his American wife Charlotte Garrigue. He studied in Prague and in the United States. In America he worked different jobs, including as a steelworker. Because of his time in the US, he spoke Czech and English with an American accent. He returned to Prague in 1913 and served in the Austro-Hungarian Army during World War I.^[2] He served in Galicia and learned Polish. His father’s exile made him unpopular in the army, where he was bullied as the son of a "traitor". He rarely spoke about his military service later.

After the war, he joined the diplomatic service. In 1919 he became chargé d'affaires to the US, and later counselor in London. In 1922 he became secretary to foreign minister Edvard Beneš. In 1925 he was appointed minister-plenipotentiary to Britain.^[3] Scholars described him as unconventional, witty, and direct. Some historians, however, saw him as weak and dependent on others.^[4]

Masaryk warned Prague that many in the British Foreign Office disliked Czechoslovakia and wanted Austria-Hungary restored.^[5] He worked to improve Czechoslovakia’s image in Britain by supporting journalists and scholars who wrote in favor of his country. He gave money to writers like Wickham Steed and Robert Seton-Watson to spread pro-Czechoslovak views.^[6]

He often clashed with German ambassador Joachim von Ribbentrop and criticized King Edward VIII for being close to fascism.^[7] He also opposed the influence of Princess Stephanie von Hohenlohe, whom he described as a spy working for Hitler.^[8]

During the Sudetenland crisis in 1938, Masaryk tried to defend Czechoslovakia’s position in Britain. He worked with opposition politicians like Winston Churchill and Clement Attlee. He opposed the Munich Agreement, which gave the Sudetenland to Germany. He resigned as ambassador in protest in December 1938.^[9]

After Germany occupied Czechoslovakia in March 1939, Masaryk spoke on American radio, condemning the occupation. He returned to London later that year. During World War II, he became famous for his weekly radio broadcasts on the BBC to occupied Czechoslovakia, called Volá Londýn ("London Calling"). These speeches made him a national hero.^[10]

In July 1940, he became Foreign Minister in the Czechoslovak government-in-exile. He worked closely with President Beneš. His main goal was to have Britain cancel the Munich Agreement and restore the Sudetenland to Czechoslovakia after the war. At first, Britain refused, but later agreed.^[11]

Masaryk died on 10 March 1948 in Prague. He was found below his bathroom window. His death was officially called a suicide, but many believe he was murdered. The true cause remains disputed.^[12]