Walter and Betty Friedemann Collection
Scope and Content Note
The collection consists of materials documenting the lives of the Friedemann and Friedheim families.
Included in the collection are family and professional correspondence, documents, musical scores by Walter Friedemann, poetry by various family members, last will, and printed materials.
Dates
- 1826-1997
Creator
Language of Materials
This collection is in German and English.
Access Restrictions
Open to researchers.
Access Information
Collection is digitized. Follow the links in the Container List to access the digitized materials.
Biographical Note
Walter Friedemann (1872-1947) came from a distinguished family in Berlin. His father Julius (Paul) Friedemann as well as his maternal grandfather Moritz Friedheim were consuls to Venezuela. His mother Martha Friedemann (née Friedheim) (1847-1911) was painted by Oskar Begas, a prominent Berlin artist. Walter Friedemann obtained his doctorate in chemistry, but later concentrated on writing and publishing novels, which were moderately successful. He also published theological studies, and wrote poetry (some of which he himself set to music). The Friedemanns lived in Mosbach from about 1926 to 1936. During this time Walter Friedemann struck up a close association with a catholic priest (Franz Roser) in Mosbach, which resulted in Walter's conversion to Roman Catholicism. His wife Betty Friedemann (née Seligmann) (1877-1946) did not share at that time in the conversion. However, after they moved to Paris (and despite some help of some clerics of the Roman Catholic hierarchy) she was arrested as a Jew and taken to Drancy. With the help of some influential Catholic clerics Walter managed to get her out, and Betty also converted to Roman Catholicism.
Extent
0.5 Linear Feet
Abstract
The collection consists of materials documenting the lives of the Friedemann and Friedheim families. Included in the collection are family and professional correspondence, documents, musical scores by Walter Friedemann, poetry by various family members, a last will, and printed materials
Separated Material
Some photographs were removed to the LBI Photo Collection.
Books were removed to the LBI Library.
- Title
- Guide to the Walter and Betty Friedemann Collection 1826-1997 AR 11056
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Yakov Illich Sklar
- Date
- © 2011
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Description is in English.
- Sponsor
- funding made possible by The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation
Revision Statements
- January 29, 2014 : Links to digital objects added in Container List.
Repository Details
Part of the Leo Baeck Institute Repository
