Julije Kempf

Who was Julije Kempf?

Julije Kempf was a Croatian historian and writer. Kempf was born in Požega, Slavonia. After graduating from Požega gymnasium, he attended teachers school in Zagreb. Afterwards, he worked in Novi Vinodolski as a teacher, before returning to Požega in 1885 to teach in Elementary school for boys.

Soon he became well known for his efforts to make lessons more interesting for pupils, while adhering to scientific principles and didactic methods. Kempf supported founding of, and eventually presided over Požega valley teachers' association, finally becoming a member of Union of Croatian teachers' associations. Thanks to his reputation, Kempf became headmaster of the Elementary school for boys in Požega in 1902. In 1917, thanks to many of his professional achievements, Kempf was appointed Royal county school superintendent, a function he held until 1925. In 1925, Kempf became mayor of Požega, and he served his city in that way for four years.

Kempf travelled throughout Croatia, many other parts of then Austria-Hungary, Germany, Italy, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and Romania.