Czech writer Josef Svatek (1835-1897) was a Czech journalist, writer, and historian. He graduated from a technical college but decided to pursue a career in journalism. He was the chief editor of the Prager Zeitung. Collecting valuable material in historical archives, he used it in his writing. Svatek's area of interest was the historical period of the 16th, 17th, and 18th century. He wrote about the times of Emperor Rudolf II in Prague, the history of the postal service, Prague legends, etc. The Memoirs of the Prague Executioner Mydlar Family was his most successful book.