Josef Václav Sládek was a notable Czech poet and translator born on March 2, 1845, in Plzeň, Bohemia. He is best known for his contributions to Czech literature, particularly in the late 19th century. Sládek's work often focused on themes of nature and national identity, reflecting the cultural revival of the Czech people during that time. In addition to his poetry, Sládek was an accomplished translator, bringing works from various languages into Czech. He translated the works of famous authors such as William Shakespeare and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, helping to enrich the Czech literary landscape. Sládek passed away on March 26, 1912.