Wilhelm Lehmann
Wilhelm Lehmann, born in 1882 in Venezuela, was a notable poet, novelist, and essayist whose work significantly impacted German literature. He pursued his education at various universities, including Tübingen, Strasbourg, and Berlin, where he focused on modern languages, natural science, and philosophy, ultimately earning a doctorate in philosophy. Lehmann began his teaching career after obtaining his teaching license and continued this profession until his retirement in 1947, while also serving in World War I. Notably, he initially rejected National Socialist ideology but later joined the party in 1933. His poetry, which resonated with contemporaries like Karl Krolow and Elisabeth Langgässer, is among his most enduring contributions. In addition to his poetry, Lehmann authored significant novels, including the autobiographical "Weingott," which won the Kleistpreis in 1923, and "Ruhm des Daseins," published in 1953, reflecting the protagonist's quest for a nature-grounded existence. Lehmann received several accolades during his lifetime, including the Lessing Prize and the Schiller Prize. He passed away in 1968, and in 2004, the Wilhelm Lehmann Society was established to preserve his literary legacy.
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Wilhelm Lehmann
Writer
- Born: May 4, 1882
- Birthplace: Puerto Cabello, Venezuela
- Died: November 17, 1968
- Place of death: Germany
Biography
Wilhelm Lehmann was born in 1882 in Venezuela. He attended several universities: Tübingen, Strasbourg, and Berlin, and studied modern languages, natural science, and philosophy with a dissertation on the history of language. He received a doctorate in philosophy from Oskar Loerke in 1905.
Soon after, Lehmann obtained his teaching license and taught in several schools for many years. He served in World War I in the middle of his teaching career. He rejected the National Socialist ideology initially but joined the party in 1933. He retired from teaching in 1947.
Lehmann is best known for his poetry. It influenced many of his contemporaries including poets Karl Krolow and Elisabeth Langgässer. In addition, he wrote several important novels and essays about his war years and popular issues. One such novel was Weingott, written in 1921. This book had several autobiographical influences and was awarded the Kleistpreis in 1923. His most famous novel was Ruhm des Daseins, printed in 1953, which is an autobiography describing the struggle of the protagonist, Asbahr, for an existence grounded in nature.
Lehmann also received the Lessing Prize in 1953 and Schiller Prize in 1959. He worked as a freelance writer until he died in 1968. In 2004, the Wilhelm Lehmann Society was created in order to maintain his memory in a world that has nearly forgotten his great poetical influence.