Antonín Leopold Dvořák was born on September 8, 1841, in Nelahozeves, near Prague, in the Austrian Empire. He was the eldest son of František Dvořák, an innkeeper, zither player, and butcher, and Anna, née Zdeňková. Dvořák grew up in a musical environment, and his early exposure to music was nurtured by his father and local musicians. He showed exceptional talent in music from a young age, mastering the violin and performing at village dances and church services.

Dvořák's formal music education began under the guidance of Josef Spitz and later Antonín Liehmann, who taught him harmony and various instruments. Despite his father's initial plans for him to take over the family business, Dvořák's musical prowess led him to pursue a career in music, furthered by his studies in Zlonice and Česká Kamenice.

His early compositions were influenced by the folk music of Moravia and Bohemia, following the nationalist example of Bedřich Smetana. Dvořák gained recognition with the success of his Slavonic Dances, Op. 46, which were published by Simrock upon the recommendation of Johannes Brahms. This work catapulted him to international fame, leading to performances across Europe and the United States.

In 1892, Dvořák became the director of the National Conservatory of Music of America in New York City. During his time in the United States, he composed some of his most famous works, including the Symphony From the New World and the Cello Concerto. His String Quartet in F major, Op. 96, known as the "American," was composed during a summer in Spillville, Iowa.

Dvořák returned to Bohemia in 1895 due to homesickness and financial reasons. His operas, particularly Rusalka, and smaller works like the seventh Humoresque and "Songs My Mother Taught Me," remain popular. Dvořák's music is celebrated for its emotional depth and integration of folk elements with classical forms. He passed away on May 1, 1904, in Prague, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to be celebrated worldwide.