Josef Opatrný (1945-2025): a great historian and an admirable human being

Abstract

Josef Opatrný (1945–2025) was a great historian, recognized for his intellectual rigor, his deep academic vocation, and his tireless dedication to the study of Latin American history and transatlantic relations. Beyond his scholarly work, those who knew him highlight his human qualities: generous with his students and colleagues, open to dialogue, curious, and always willing to share knowledge. His legacy endures both in his writings and in the people he trained and inspired. His memory will continue to live on in historiography and among those who had the privilege of learning from him.