The article includes in a chronological order basic biographical and factual data about life and work of the significant Slovak scientist and pedagogue Prof. Vojtech Hatala, who played a role of pioneer and founder of the theory of criminal law and criminology in the territory of Slovakia.
By his 80th birth anniversary the author of this article considers it necessary to draw attention publicly on the character of his work and point out underestimating of his significance in the history of Slovak science.