Josef Korbel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Josef Korbel
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|---|---|
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| Born |
Josef Körbel
September 20, 1909 |
| Died | July 18, 1977 (aged 67) Denver, Colorado, U.S.
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| Spouse(s) |
Anna Spiegelová
(m. 1935) |
| Children | 3, including Madeleine Albright |
| Relatives | Alice P. Albright (granddaughter) |
Josef Korbel (born September 20, 1909 – died July 18, 1977) was an important Czech-American diplomat and expert in politics. He worked as Czechoslovakia's ambassador to Yugoslavia. He also led the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan. Later, he became a professor of international politics at the University of Denver. There, he started the famous Josef Korbel School of International Studies.
His daughter, Madeleine Albright, became the first female Secretary of State for the United States. She worked for President Bill Clinton. Josef Korbel also guided Condoleezza Rice, who later became Secretary of State for President George W. Bush. His granddaughter, Alice P. Albright, is currently the CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation.
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Josef Korbel's Early Life and Career
Josef was born on September 20, 1909. His family name was Körbel. His parents, Arnost and Olga Körbel, were Czech-Jewish. Sadly, they died during the Holocaust, a terrible time when many Jewish people were killed.
On April 20, 1935, Josef married Anna Spiegelová. They had met in high school around 1928. Anna's parents were also Czech Jews. They gave her the nickname Andula. Josef called her Mandula, a special mix of "My Andula." Anna called him Jozka.
When their daughter Madeleine was born, Josef was working as a press officer. He was at the Czechoslovak Embassy in Belgrade.
Fleeing to London and Wartime Work
Josef worked as a diplomat for the government of Czechoslovakia. However, because of his political views and his Jewish background, he had to leave. When Nazi Germany invaded Czechoslovakia in 1939, he fled with his wife and baby Madeleine. They moved to London, England.
In London, Korbel advised Edvard Beneš. Beneš was the leader of the Czech government that was in exile. This government worked from outside Czechoslovakia. Korbel also gave speeches for the BBC. These speeches were broadcast daily to Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia. While in England, the Korbels changed their religion to Catholicism. They also changed their family name from Körbel to Korbel.
Returning Home and New Roles
After World War II ended, Korbel went back to Czechoslovakia. He was given a nice apartment in Prague. This apartment had belonged to a German industrialist who was forced to leave.
Korbel was then appointed as Czechoslovakia's ambassador to Yugoslavia. He stayed there until February 1948. At that time, the Communist Party took power in Czechoslovakia. Around this time, he was also chosen to be a delegate. He joined the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan. His job was to help solve the Kashmir dispute. He led this commission and later wrote books about the Kashmir problem.
Starting a New Life in America
After the Communist Party took control in 1948, Josef Korbel knew he was not safe. In 1949, he asked for political asylum in the United States. He said he would be arrested in Czechoslovakia because he believed in democracy.
He was granted asylum. He also received money from the Rockefeller Foundation. This allowed him to teach international politics at the University of Denver. In 1964, with help from Ben Cherrington, Korbel started the Graduate School of International Studies. He became its first leader.
One of his students was Condoleezza Rice. She later became the first woman to be National Security Advisor in 2001. She was also the first African-American woman to be Secretary of State in 2005. Josef Korbel's own daughter, Madeleine, became the first female Secretary of State in 1997. Both Condoleezza Rice and Madeleine Albright have said that Josef Korbel greatly influenced their careers. They learned a lot from him about foreign policy and international relations.
Honoring Josef Korbel's Legacy
After Josef Korbel passed away, the University of Denver created an award in his honor. It is called the Josef Korbel Humanitarian Award. Since 2000, many people have received this award.
On May 28, 2008, the Graduate School of International Studies at the University of Denver was renamed. It is now known as the Josef Korbel School of International Studies. This was done to remember his important work and contributions.
Josef Korbel's Books and Writings
Josef Korbel was also a writer. He wrote several books about politics and international events. These books helped people understand important topics like communism and conflicts between countries.
Some of his well-known books include:
- Tito's Communism (1951)
- Danger in Kashmir (1954)
- The Communist Subversion of Czechoslovakia, 1938–1948: The Failure of Co-existence (1959)
- Poland Between East and West: Soviet and German Diplomacy toward Poland, 1919–1933 (1963)
- Detente in Europe: Real or Imaginary? (1972)
His book Danger in Kashmir was especially important. It talked about the conflict in Kashmir. Many experts said his book was fair and well-researched. They noted that because he was part of the United Nations Commission, his information was very reliable.
