Jaroslav Heyrovský was born in Prague (in the Old Town, Křižovnická 14) on 20 December, 1890. He was the fifth child of Klára (born Hanlová) and JUDr. Leopold Heyrovský (1852-1924). His father was Professor of Roman Law of the University, which was at that time called the Czech Charles- Ferdinand University. His textbook
The history and system of Roman law
, went through five editions. He was a free thinker and advocate of Czech autonomy, a friend of T. G. Masaryk. His great grandfather JUDr. Ferdinand Heyrovský (1769-1839) was Mayor of Rokycany in South-West Bohemia. After attending the primary school Jaroslav went in 1901 for eight years to a secondary school, called the Akademicke Gymnasium. Even though the main stress in education at that time was on Latin and Greek, young Heyrovský showed a keen interest in the natural sciences. Mathematics and physics were his favourite subjects. In 1909 he passed his final examination (maturity examination) and matriculated in the Philosophical Faculty of the Czech University in Prague. In his first year he took courses in chemistry, physics and mathematics and was most deeply impressed by the lectures of B. Brauner on inorganic chemistry, as well as those of F. Záviška and B. Kučera on physics. He admired British natural scientists and in particular the recent achievements of Sir William Ramsay aroused his interest. He was therefore thankful when his severe father (who was a Rector, i.e. Vice-Chancellor, of the University at that time and was rather feared as examiner by the students) gave him permission to continue his studies in London. In 1910 he matriculated at University College, London. There he followed with great attention the lectures of Sir William Ramsay, and William C. McC. Lewis on general and physical chemistry, of F. T. Trouton and A. Porter in physics and L. N. G. Filon in mathematics.
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