C. W. Ceram
C. W. Ceram, the pseudonym of Kurt Willi Marek, was a notable German author and publisher, born in 1915 in Berlin. His early career included training as a publisher and bookseller, followed by service in the German army during World War II. While recovering from injuries in a military hospital in 1944, Ceram began outlining a significant work on archaeology, which he continued to develop after the war. In 1949, he published "Götter, Gräber, und Gelehrte" (translated as "Gods, Graves, and Scholars") under his pseudonym. This best-selling book effectively ignited global interest in archaeology by narrating the pursuits of renowned archaeologists like Howard Carter and William Petrie.
In 1954, Ceram relocated to the United States, where he explored the history of pre-Columbian America in his book "Der erste Amerikaner" ("The First American"). After its publication, he returned to Germany, where he passed away in Hamburg in 1972. Ceram's contributions to archaeology literature remain significant, connecting readers to the fascinating narratives of archaeological discovery and heritage.
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C. W. Ceram
- Born: January 20, 1915
- Birthplace: Berlin, Germany
- Died: April 12, 1972
- Place of death: Hamburg, Germany
Biography
C. W. Ceram was the pseudonym of Kurt Willi Marek, born in 1915 in Berlin, Germany. As a young adult, Ceram received training as a publisher and bookseller. From 1938 to 1945, he served in the German army.
In 1944, while recovering from war wounds in a military hospital, Ceram began writing an outline for a book about archaeology. He continued to work on this project after his return to civilian life in 1945. At this time he also served as the editor of The World newspaper and a lecturer at Rowohlt Publishing House.
In 1948, he presented his archeological manuscript, written under the pseudonym C. W. Ceramn, to Rowohlt Publishing House. The manuscript was published the following year as Götter, Gräber, und Gelehrte: Roman der Archäologie (1949;Gods, Graves, and Scholars, 1951). In this work, Ceram described the adventures of famous archeologists such as Howard Carter, William Petrie, and George Smith. The best-selling book was credited with creating a worldwide interest in archeology.
In 1954, Ceram moved to the United States, where he researched and wrote Der erste Amerikaner: Das Rätsel des vor- kolumbischen Indianers (1971; The First American: A Story of North American Archaeology, 1971). This book was a study of the American Indians before the arrival of Christopher Columbus. After this work was published, Ceram returned to Germany, where he died in Hamburg in 1972.