's pencil sketch of Blumentritt as it appears in the book
Life and Writings of José Rizal Blumentritt was born in
Prague (now the Czech Republic, then the capital of
Kingdom of Bohemia in the former
Austrian Empire). Blumentritt wrote extensively about the Philippines, although he never visited the islands, corresponding with the then Filipino student and writer
José Rizal, who later became a national hero. Blumentritt's relationship with Rizal began as early as July 1886. Blumentritt became one of Rizal's closest confidants, although they met only once. He translated a chapter of the latter's first book,
Noli Me Tangere, into German and wrote the preface to Rizal's second book,
El filibusterismo, although he was against its publication as he believed that it would lead to Rizal's death. These two novels are commentaries disguised as fiction which angered both the Catholic Church and the Spanish colonial government, and which eventually led to Rizal's 1896 trial and execution. Before the execution in
Manila, Rizal wrote his final letter for Blumentritt. Blumentritt reportedly cried after having received the letter. Alongside Rizal, Blumentritt was a significant contributor to the publication
La Solidaridad, published by Filipino expatriates from 1889 to 1895 as a voice for advocacy of political reforms in the Philippines. From 1900, Blumentritt was a member of the
Berlin Society for Anthropology. Blumentritt died in
Litoměřice (), Bohemia. He is memorialized in the Philippines by numerous public parks and streets. Among them are
Blumentritt Road,
Blumentritt LRT Station,
Blumentritt PNR Station, the Blumentritt Market in
Metro Manila and the Blumentritt Street in
Naga City and
Tuguegarao. His relations with Rizal also caused the twin status of the Czech town of
Litoměřice with the Philippine towns of
Calamba (Rizal's birthplace) and
Dapitan (where Rizal was initially exiled). == Main works ==