Lutz Weltmann Correspondence Collection
Scope and Content Note
The Lutz Weltmann Correspondence Collection predominantly contains letters by other literary colleagues to Weltmann. In addition, folder 4 holds a letter by Weltmann to the Leo Baeck Institute with his curriculum vitae. Correspondence of Kasimir Edschmid and Rudolf Pannwitz is extensive, while correspondence with others is sparse consisting only of a few letters or postcards.
In addition to greetings, Kasimir Edschmid's letters concern various topics, and frequently mentions projects of Weltmann's. Among the many topics are included publication possibilities in post-war Germany, the activities of the PEN club to which they both belonged, and a project of Weltmann's on collecting statements on immigrant experiences, including statements of notables, such as members of Parliament and others. Rudolf Pannwitz's correspondence frequently discusses various translations Weltmann wrote of his work. Their letters often mention the sending of works to an unspecified Lord Samuel, possibly Herbert Samuel, First Viscount Samuel. Such correspondence also references Weltmann's projects, such as the Goethe-Year series, works on Shakespeare and T.S. Eliot or essays or articles written by Weltmann. Some details of Weltmann's life may be found in the responses of both Edschmid and Pannwitz to Weltmann's letters.
The folders of less extensive correspondence largely hold letters and postcards with greetings, arrangements for meeting, or brief mentions about correspondents' or Weltmann's work, especially his translations. Two letters of Phillip Witkop from 1935 respond to difficulties faced by Weltmann in Germany.
Dates
- 1923-1969
- Majority of material found within 1930-1955
Creator
- Weltmann, Lutz, 1901-1967 (Person)
Language of Materials
The collection is in German with a small amount of English.
Access Restrictions
Open to researchers.
Access Information
Readers may access the collection by visiting the Lillian Goldman Reading Room at the Center for Jewish History. We recommend reserving the collection in advance; please visit the LBI Online Catalog and click on the "Reserve" button.
Use Restrictions
There may be some restrictions on the use of the collection. For more information, contact:
Leo Baeck Institute, Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011
email: lbaeck@lbi.cjh.org
Biographical Note
Lutz Weltmann was born on February 15, 1901 in Elbing (now Elblag, Poland). After studying at the Friedrich Wilhelmsches Gymnasium in Berlin, he attended the universities of Berlin and Freiburg, receiving his doctorate in philosophy from the University of Freiburg in 1924. From 1924-1933 he was the theater and literature critic of Rudolf Mosse newspapers in Berlin, including the Berliner Volkszeitung, but also contributed as a freelance writer for the Frankfurter General-Anzeiger and the Kölnische Zeitung, among others. From 1927-1933 he was co-editor of the monthly Die Literatur (later titled Das literarische Echo). In 1934 he authored some articles for the Jüdisches Jahrbuch on Spinoza and in 1936 he lectured on Samuel Cooper for the Jüdischer Kulturbund and produced Jizchok Leib Perez's Die goldene Kette for the Kulturbund's theater. In the course of his work he came to know many other authors, critics and others in the field of literature and theater.
After emigrating to England in 1939, he served in the British Pioneer Corps from 1940-1943. The following year he earned his teaching diploma in London in 1944. After autumn 1944 he taught at various schools in Kent, London and Essex. He also wrote from England for West German newspapers after the war. During this time he was assistant editor of the series The Goethe Year 1749-1949- Das Goethe-Jahr 1749-1949: an International Bi-Lingual Publication in 12 Parts issued to Celebrate the Bi-Centenary of the Birth of Goethe and wrote a book on Kasimir Edschmid. He also wrote three unpublished works on Christopher Fry, T.S. Eliot and on Shakespeare and the English.
Extent
0.25 Linear Feet
Abstract
The Lutz Weltmann Correspondence Collection largely holds professional correspondence from others to Lutz Weltmann, a critic, publisher, author and teacher. Such correspondence often references various literary projects of Weltmann's or of the correspondents. One letter by him includes a brief curriculum vitae.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in one series.
Other Finding Aid
A list of correspondents of Lutz Weltmann, including individuals not part of this collection, is available.
Digitization Note
The collection was digitized and made accessible in its entirety.
Processing Information
Folders with only a few letters were combined alphabetically during the processing of the collection in December 2013.
- Title
- Guide to the Correspondence of Lutz Weltmann 1923-1969 AR 1766
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Dianne Ritchey and LBI Staff
- Date
- © 2013
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Description is in English.
- Sponsor
- Digitization made possible by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
- Edition statement
- This version was derived from LutzWeltmann.xml
Revision Statements
- June 2015: dao links and digitization information added by Leanora Lange.
Repository Details
Part of the Leo Baeck Institute Repository
