Person · Czech settlers · Czechs in Ukraine · N0045
František Špidlen
Франтішек Шпідлен · 1867–1916
Essence
The Czech violin maker František Špidlen (1867–1916) worked from 1886 in Kyiv in the workshop of his compatriot Jindřich Jindříšek, and in 1895, according to Czech Wikipedia, obtained his own trade licence there. The Encyclopedia of Modern Ukraine confirms that Špidlen worked in Jindříšek's workshop but gives no years. Around 1900 he moved to Moscow as luthier of the conservatory and in 1909 settled in Prague. The date of his death is given twice, differently, in the Czech article.
Timeline
- 31.3.1867Born in Sklenařice (Krkonoše foothills). [SPI01]
- 1886Accepted an offer from Jindřich Jindříšek and began work in his Kyiv workshop (about three years). [SPI01; SPI02]
- 1889–1892Military service in the military band at Terezín. [SPI01]
- 1892–1895Returned to Kyiv and worked in Jindříšek's workshop; in 1895 obtained his own trade licence for instrument making. [SPI01]
- around 1900Won a competition for the post of luthier at the Moscow Imperial Conservatory and moved to Moscow. [SPI01; SPI03]
- 1909Moved to Prague and opened a violin workshop. [SPI01]
- 1916Died in Prague (16 February 1916 per the text, 24 January 1916 per the infobox). [SPI01]
Full research text
Significance
František Špidlen (1867–1916) was a Czech violin maker, founder of a dynasty known in Prague and beyond. The Ukrainian part of his life is his Kyiv years in the workshop of the Czech entrepreneur Jindřich Jindříšek (see dossier N0026). [SPI01; SPI02]
Life
Špidlen was born on 31 March 1867 in Sklenařice into a farming family and trained as a violin maker with his brother-in-law František Vitáček and in Český Šumburk. [SPI01] Around 1900 he won a competition for the post of luthier of the Moscow Imperial Conservatory and, according to the article, made about 400 violins (“špidlenky”); because of chronic bronchial trouble he returned to Bohemia and in 1909 opened a workshop near the Prague Conservatory. [SPI01] He died in Prague in 1916 (the date differs) and is buried at the Olšany cemeteries. [SPI01]
Ukrainian connection
According to the Czech article, in 1886 Špidlen accepted an offer from Jindřich Jindříšek, who ran an instrument shop and repair service in Kyiv, and worked for him for about three years; after military service in the band at Terezín (1889–1892) he returned to Kyiv and continued with Jindříšek, and in 1895 obtained his own trade licence for instrument making. [SPI01] The Encyclopedia of Modern Ukraine confirms that in 1885 Jindříšek opened a workshop for making and repairing musical instruments in Kyiv and that “in various years” Špidlen and P. Skhovanek, later known violin makers, worked there. [SPI02] Strings Magazine says that in Kyiv Špidlen restored and made violins before moving to Moscow. [SPI03]
Discrepancies in sources
Kyiv years: only Czech Wikipedia gives years (1886–1889, 1892–?, own licence 1895); the ESU and Strings Magazine confirm the fact of Kyiv work but give no years; neither they nor the 1895 licence say more about Špidlen's own Kyiv workshop. [SPI01; SPI02; SPI03]
Date of death: 16 February 1916 in the text of the Czech article and 24 January 1916 in the infobox. Time of the move to Moscow: “around 1900” per the Czech article, “around age 30” (i.e. about 1897) per Strings Magazine. [SPI01; SPI03] The Ukrainian link is modest; primary sources were not examined.
Further reading about this person
A book about this person has not yet been confirmed. Research in library catalogues continues.
Sources
- SPI01 Czech Wikipedia, article “František Špidlen”: birth on 31 March 1867 in Sklenařice, training, 1886 invitation from J. Jindříšek to Kyiv, military service 1889–1892, return to Kyiv in 1892, own trade licence in 1895, Moscow around 1900, Prague 1909; date of death 16 February 1916 in the text and 24 January 1916 in the infobox. cs.wikipedia.org
- SPI02 Encyclopedia of Modern Ukraine, article “Jindříšek Jindřich” (V. Shchepakin): in 1885 Jindříšek opened a workshop for making and repairing musical instruments in Kyiv; “in various years” F. Špidlen and P. Schovánek, later known violin makers, worked there. The years of Špidlen's work are not given. esu.com.ua
- SPI03 Strings Magazine, “The Špidlen Luthier Dynasty Has Lasted Five Generations” (2023): František Špidlen (1867–1916), the founder of the dynasty, restored and made violins in Kyiv and then became luthier of the Moscow Imperial Conservatory. It does not mention Jindříšek. stringsmagazine.com
Photos and videos
Verification
Draft
Research draft with sources; independent check still pending.
Evidence coverage
Timeline claims assessed: 0 / 7. Claims with verified contradictions: 0.
The score measures coverage of timeline claims by verified sources, not the probability of historical truth. One independent source gives a claim 0.5 points; two or more give 1 point. A disputed claim receives 0. Unassessed claims remain in the denominator.
evidence-v1
How the score is calculated
Each claim shows its contribution to the score and verified current sources. Multiple references may share an origin; context adds no points.
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31.3.1867
Born in Sklenařice (Krkonoše foothills).
Not yet assessed Contribution: 0.0 / 1Independent source origins: 0
Verified current support has not been established. This does not mean the claim is false.
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1886
Accepted an offer from Jindřich Jindříšek and began work in his Kyiv workshop (about three years).
Not yet assessed Contribution: 0.0 / 1Independent source origins: 0
Verified current support has not been established. This does not mean the claim is false.
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1889–1892
Military service in the military band at Terezín.
Not yet assessed Contribution: 0.0 / 1Independent source origins: 0
Verified current support has not been established. This does not mean the claim is false.
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1892–1895
Returned to Kyiv and worked in Jindříšek's workshop; in 1895 obtained his own trade licence for instrument making.
Not yet assessed Contribution: 0.0 / 1Independent source origins: 0
Verified current support has not been established. This does not mean the claim is false.
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around 1900
Won a competition for the post of luthier at the Moscow Imperial Conservatory and moved to Moscow.
Not yet assessed Contribution: 0.0 / 1Independent source origins: 0
Verified current support has not been established. This does not mean the claim is false.
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1909
Moved to Prague and opened a violin workshop.
Not yet assessed Contribution: 0.0 / 1Independent source origins: 0
Verified current support has not been established. This does not mean the claim is false.
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1916
Died in Prague (16 February 1916 per the text, 24 January 1916 per the infobox).
Not yet assessed Contribution: 0.0 / 1Independent source origins: 0
Verified current support has not been established. This does not mean the claim is false.
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How we verify
- DraftResearch draft with sources; independent check still pending.
- Checked automaticallyQuotes mechanically matched to sources; an independent model found no contradictions.
- Two sources (automatic score)Automatic evidence score: key facts rest on at least two independent sources. No person has yet read the whole dossier.
- Confirmed by an editorAn editor confirmed the dossier; the reason is shown on the page. This is not an independent scholarly review.
- Disputed pointsSources disagree; disputed points are marked in the text.
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