Friedrich Bill Collection

This collection focuses on the work of the Czech journalist Friedrich Bill. Prominent among the papers here are his writings in the form of newspaper clippings. In addition, the collection also holds a few personal documents and some files on specific topics.

The small amount of personal documents available in this collection are located in Series I. These papers consist of photographs, a Masonic medal, and a letter, in addition to biographical essays. Correspondence with the writer Johannes Urzidil will be found among the subject files in Series III.

Examples of Friedrich Bill's written work will be found in every series of this collection. Series I includes some typed pages of biographical essays, which may be excerpts or drafts of his handwritten memoirs. Series II holds the bulk of his writing, consisting mainly of his many newspaper articles but also including some poetry reflecting on the aftermath of World War I. The articles found in Series II discuss numerous social, political, and cultural topics; prominent subjects include human rights, socialism, and societal problems. Although Series III consists primarily of subject files on several topics, articles by Bill will be found among the clippings located here, specifically those pertaining to graphology and his friend Johannes Urzidil.

Information on places where Freidrich Urzidil resided, including Brno, Prague, and Ecuador, will be found in the subject files of Series III. Included among these documents are postcards of the areas, as well as clippings relating generally to the localities.