For several years now, the Masaryk Institute and Archives of the Czech Academy of Sciences has been processing the correspondence exchanged between T. G. Masaryk and citizens of Great Britain and Czech compatriots living there. Anglo-Saxon culture and science had interested Tomáš Masaryk since his student days. Over time, he developed a network of academic and journalistic contacts in this area. Through his involvement in the South Slavic affairs of 1908–1910, he gained international renown and came into contact with British journalist H. W. Steed and Scottish historian R. W. Seton-Watson. They later helped implement the program to dismantle Austria-Hungary and made Masaryk’s life in London exile during World War I easier.

In March 2021, the first volume of the correspondence , was published, covering the period 1881–1915 and offering many unknown documents, findings, and contexts. It opens with a letter from Charles Darwin and further correspondence reveals, for example, how Masaryk obtained a university post at King’s College, difficulties with the police due to his Serbian passport, or the situation in the Czech expatriate community.

The edition, complete with detailed commentary and an introductory study, was prepared by Dagmar Hájková, Svatopluk Herc, and Jitka Jindřišková.

The second volume was published in 2022 , covering all available correspondence from the year 1916, when Masaryk was in exile in London. The letters provide insight into his relations with politicians, academics, and media representatives, and reveal his views and program.

The edition, including detailed commentary, was prepared by Dagmar Hájková and Jitka Jindřišková. The introductory study was written by Dagmar Hájková.

A third volume is in preparation, which will cover the years 1917–1918.

T. G. Masaryk’s first short visits to Great Britain took place in 1901 and 1902. From 1915 to 1917 he lived there in exile with his daughter Olga. See our map for the places in London where he stayed and lectured:

Hotel Kingsley , where Masaryk stayed in 1901, 1902, and 1915

Mrs. Brown’s boarding house in Hampstead, where Masaryk lived in 1915 and 1916

House on Platts Lane in Hampstead, where Masaryk lived in 1916 and 1917

King's College, University of London – in October 1916, Masaryk began lecturing at the School of Slavonic Studies

In June 1916, Masaryk visited Scotland:

In Edinburgh he lectured at the invitation of Professor Charles Saroléa