Jan Kubelík was a Czech violinist and composer. Born on 5 July 1880 in Michle, he became one of the leading virtuoso violinists of his time and was the father of conductor Rafael Kubelík.
His father, a gardener by profession, was an amateur violinist who taught both of his sons to play. Recognizing Jan's talent when the boy was five, he arranged lessons with Karel Weber and Karel Ondříček.
At the age of eight, Kubelík entered the Prague Conservatory, where he studied with Otakar Ševčík. From 1898 he gave concerts throughout the world.
As a composer, Kubelík wrote original music, including six concertos for violin and orchestra. In 1902 he received the Royal Philharmonic Society's Gold Medal.
His final public appearance took place on 11 May 1940 at the Sokol House hall in Neveklov. He died of cancer in Prague on 5 December 1940 and was buried at Vyšehrad Cemetery.