Adolf von Wilbrandt
Adolf von Wilbrandt was a prominent German playwright and novelist born in 1837 in Rostock, Germany. He developed a passion for theater early in life, inspired by a puppet theater gift, which set the stage for his later career. After studying languages, literature, history, and philosophy at various universities, he earned a doctoral degree in 1859. Wilbrandt initially worked as a translator and political commentator for the nationalist newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung before shifting his focus to writing, producing a successful biography of Heinrich von Kleist and the three-volume novel "Geister und Menschen."
His creative journey took a pivotal turn during a health crisis that led him to Italy, where he delved into the works of classical playwrights like Sophocles and Shakespeare. Upon returning to Munich, he achieved considerable success with his first major play, "Die Vermählten," which was widely staged in German-speaking regions. His career flourished in Vienna, where he married leading actress Auguste Baudius and served as the artistic director of the Burgtheater. Recognized for his contributions to German literature, he received notable honors, including the Maximilian Order. Wilbrandt's later years in Rostock were marked by prolific writing, culminating in his final novel, "Die Tochter," published shortly before his death in 1911.
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Adolf von Wilbrandt
Writer
- Born: August 24, 1837
- Birthplace: Rotock, Germany
- Died: June 10, 1911
- Place of death: Schwerin, Germany
Biography
Adolf von Wilbrandt, a nineteenth century playwright and novelist, was born in Rostock, Germany, in 1837. His father, Christian Wilbrandt, was a professor of aesthetics and literature. As a youth, Wilbrandt was given a gift of a puppet theater. He spent hours playing with this theater, composing dramas for his family and friends. His fascination with the puppet theater established his lifelong love for theater and drama.
In 1856, Wilbrandt graduated from secondary school and began studying at the universities of Rostock, Berlin, and Munich. He specialized in languages, literature, history, and philosophy. In 1859, Wilbrandt was granted his doctoral degree from Rostock University. After receiving his degree, Wilbrandt settled in Munich, where he helped found the nationalist newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung. He remained with this newspaper for two years, serving as translator, critic, and political commentator.
In 1861, Wilbrandt left his newspaper job in order to concentrate on writing his first work, a biography of writer Heinrich von Kleist. The successful publication of this work led to numerous subsequent publications, including Wilbrandt’s three-volume novel Geister und Menschen (1864). However, after three years of maintaining a rigorous writing schedule, Wilbrandt suffered a nervous breakdown.
Ill health inspired Wilbrandt to take an extended trip to Italy. There, he studied the plays of Sophocles and William Shakespeare and developed a keen interest in writing plays. After a year in Italy, Wilbrandt returned to Munich and published his first major dramatic work, Die Vermählten: Lustspiele in drei Aufzügen. This play met with much success and was staged throughout German-speaking Europe. In 1871, Wilbrandt traveled to Vienna in order to see the opening of Die Vermählten at the Burgtheater, Austria’s national theater. While there, he fell in love with the leading actress, Auguste Baudius, and they married in 1873.
Wilbrandt remained in Vienna for sixteen years. He continued to write plays, most of which were staged at the Burgtheater. In 1881, he became the artistic director of the Burgtheater. Three years later, his success and dedication to German drama and literature was rewarded with the Maximilian Order for service to German literature. Also at this time, King Ludwig II of Bavaria bestowed a noble title on Wilbrandt.
While successful as director of the Burgtheater, Wilbrandt resented that his stage duties left little time for his writing. In 1887, he resigned from his theater position and returned to his hometown of Rostock, where he remained throughout his final years. In Rostock he produced twenty-two novels plus several plays, poems, and novellas. His novels incorporated his philosophies on European politics, culture, and history. Wilbrandt’s final work, his novel Die Tochter, was published a few months before his death on June 10, 1911.