Dr Jovan Jovanović

A life devoted to others

Jovan Jovanović was a distinguished Serbian physician and great benefactor who, through his noble bequest, permanently put Serbian science and culture in his debt. He was born in Smederevo, and life was not kind to him from the very beginning. He lost his father early and made his way through his schooling by hard work and self-denial. As a state scholarship student he completed his medical studies in Vienna.

Fate dealt him heavy blows – the death of his beloved sister and the premature death of his fiancée left him alone. Instead of falling into despair, Jovan found consolation in humanitarian work. As a district physician in Vlasotince and other places, he was known for his modesty. He saved every dinar, not for himself, but with a clear vision that the money should serve a higher purpose.

The "Jovanijanum" Endowment

During his lifetime, in 1908, he established the "Jovanijanum" fund at the Serbian Royal Academy (today the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts). The purpose of the fund was to support the development of Serbian science, to reward the best literary works and to print books of national importance. Thanks to his sacrifice, many valuable works saw the light of day.