Karl August Varnhagen von Ense
Karl August Varnhagen von Ense was a prominent German biographer and writer born in Düsseldorf in 1785. He experienced a tumultuous early life marked by financial hardship after his father's death, which compelled him to pivot from medical studies to tutoring. Varnhagen's literary career began in his teens with the publication of his first novel, and he was later involved in the Napoleonic Wars, where he gained recognition as a writer through his essays on political topics. His marriage to Rahel Levin, a Jewish convert to Catholicism, connected him with the social elite, further enhancing his literary reputation. Varnhagen is best known for his five-volume work, *Biographische Denkmale*, which celebrates individuals who triumphed over adversity. He also contributed to the field of journalism by co-founding a scientific critique journal and later creating a digest that became a precursor to modern publications. His memoir of Rahel Levin, published posthumously, showcases his deep personal reflections. Varnhagen passed away in 1858, leaving behind a legacy of literary contributions that captured the sociocultural milieu of his time.
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Karl August Varnhagen von Ense
Biographer
- Born: February 21, 1785
- Birthplace: Düsseldorf, Germany
- Died: October 10, 1858
- Place of death: Berlin, Germany
Biography
Karl August Varnhagen von Ense, a turn-of-the-nineteenth century biographer, was born in Düsseldorf, Germany. His father was Johann Andreas Jakob Varnhagen, a physician. Varnhagen moved several times during his childhood as his father attempted to establish himself professionally. In 1794, when Varnhagen was nine years of age, his family finally settled in Hamburg, Germany, where his father obtained employment. Five years later, his father died, leaving the family impoverished.
Through the financial assistance of family friends, Varnhagen was able to attend Papiniere School in Berlin, which was a school for military physicians. However, Varnhagen left his medical training in order to work as a private tutor. After working for several families, he began tutoring for the wealthy Hertz family in Hamburg. With the financial support of the Hertz family, Varnhagen was able to study at the Johanneum Gymnasium in Hamburg, where he studied Greek and classical literature. In 1807, while still in school, Varnhagen published his first novel, in collaboration with Wilhelm Neumann, titled Erzählungen und Spiele (tales and games).
When Napolean’s troops occupied Hamburg, the Johanneum Gymnasium closed. Varnhagen then relocated to Berlin, where he met his future wife, Rahel Levin. In 1809, Varnhagen joined the Austrian army and fought at the Battle of Deutsch Wagram where he won the confidence and friendship of Prince Wilhelm von Bentheim. Through his friendship with Prince Bentheim, Varnhagen began socializing with Germany’s upper class.
In 1813, Varnhagen resumed his military career and served in numerous battles of the Napoleonic Wars. During these campaigns, Varnhagen gathered material, which he used to write his essays titled Hanseatische Anregungen (Hanseatic allusions) and Deutsche Ansicht der Vereinigung Sachsens mit Preu�en (a German view of the union of Saxony with Prussia). The success of these essays developed Varnhagen’s reputation as a writer and earned him an appointment to the Prussian delegation to the Vienna Congress, where he served as a press officer. In this position, Varnhagen wrote numerous articles that supported Prussian political objectives.
His job within the Prussian delegation gave Varnhagen sufficient income to marry Rahel Levin. At the time of their marriage, Rahel Levin converted from Judaism to Roman Catholicism. Rahel Levin Varnhagen presided over a salon where numerous affluent members of society gathered, including several members of royalty. Varnhagen made several contacts with the socially elite patrons of his wife’s salon. These contacts served to advance Varnhagen’s career, which flourished until 1819 when he offended the Grand Duke and was discharged from service.
After losing his position as Prussian delegate, Varnhagen turned his focus to his literary career. At this time, he published his most noted book, Biographische Denkmale (biographical monuments). This work, published in five volumes, depicted the lives of numerous German characters who overcame and conquered diversity. In 1826, Varnhagen demonstrated his diverse talents as a writer when he founded, with Eduard Gans, the scientific journal titled Jahrbücher für wissenschaftliche Kritik (yearbooks for scientific criticism). This journal remained in publication for several years.
In 1933, after the death of his wife, Varnhagen wrote down memoirs of her in his book titled Rahel: Ein Buch des Andenkens für ihre Freunde (Rahel: a memorial for her friends). At first, Varnhagen distributed copies only amongst friends and family. However, as copies leaked to the pubic it became so in demand that Varnhagen published an enlarged edition in 1834, which was sold to the public.
In 1837, Varnhagen pioneered the prototype of the modern digest with the first publication of his journal titled Denkwürdigkeiten und vermischte Schriften (things worthy of note and miscellaneous writings). This digest appeared in regular installments until the mid-1800’s. In his later years, he continued to oversee the publication of his digest as well as publishing numerous well-received biographies. Karl August Varnhagen von Ense died in 1858 at the age of seventy- three.