This publication, titled „Rudolf Firkusny: The artistic and personal development of the Czech pianist and composer through 1948,” concerns itself with the life and professional activity of Rudolf Firkusny, with a focus primarily on the period of the pianist’s creative and personal growth through his departure from Czechoslovakia into exile in 1948. The dissertation makes use of previously unknown and unpublished materials from the pianist’s personal archive and also presents the first complete overview of his compositional work. It describes in detail the pianist’s broad repertoire, proving his singular status among Czech pianists as an eminent promoter of both Czech music and music of the 20th century.The work also includes Firkušný's reminiscences about his teacher Leoš Janáček, as well as suggestions regarding the interpretation of the latter's piano works. For educators and students of the piano it also offers an overview of the pianist's teaching methodology and work at the piano as per the recollections of his students.