Rudolf Haym
Rudolf Haym was a German philosopher and scholar, born in Silesia around 1820. He received a comprehensive education, with his mother focusing on languages and music, while his father handled his broader studies. Haym studied philosophy and theology at the University of Halle and the University of Berlin, where he developed a strong intellectual foundation. His political involvement included serving as a member of the National Assembly in 1848, with a political stance considered right-center. Haym had a diverse career, excelling in politics, academia, and writing, particularly focusing on literary history and political science. He became a professor at the University of Halle in 1860 and was known for his critical writings on German philosophy and literature, including biographies of significant philosophers such as Hegel and Schopenhauer. In 1870, he notably published a history of the Romantic school, exploring its emphasis on emotion and individual creativity. Haym remained dedicated to teaching until his passing in 1901, leaving behind a legacy of scholarship and engagement with the intellectual currents of his time.
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Rudolf Haym
Writer
- Born: October 5, 1821
- Birthplace: Grünberg, Silesia (now Poland)
- Died: August 27, 1901
- Place of death: St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria
Biography
German philosopher Rudolf Haym was born at Grunberg in Silesia (now part of Poland) around 1820. His parents took a great deal of interest in his education: His mother oversaw his instruction in French and piano, while his father supervised the rest of Haym’s education. He studied philosophy and theology at the University of Halle and the University of Berlin. From 1846 to 1847, Haym lived at Halle. In 1848, Haym became a member of the National Assembly; his politics could be described as right center. From 1851 on, he lectured on literature at the University of Halle. He was made professor in 1860.
Throughout this life, Haym pursued three careers, all of them with equal skill. He was an active participant in the political life around him; he was a scholar, particularly in the disciplines of philosophy, literary history, and political science; Haym also wrote many political pamphlets and literary biographies, which did not necessarily have any direct bearing on his other professions.
Much of his writings are criticisms and biography devoted to German philosophy and literature. In 1870, he published a history of the Romantic school, an artistic and intellectual movement that stressed strong emotion and awarded individual imagination as a critical authority. He wrote biographies of several influential German philosophers such as Georg Hegel, Arthur Schopenhauer, Johann Gottfried von Herder, and Max Duncker. In his later years, Haym devoted himself to teaching. He held lectures until the year he died, in 1901.