Recollections of EM Arndt

Recollections of EM Arndt

Publications and reports

Ernst Moritz Arndt (1769-1860), born to an emancipated serf turned farmer on the Baltic island of Rügen, was a highly celebrated German poet, politician, and proponent of pan-Germanism. He was among the Bleeks' closest family friends and served as a teacher and role model to Wilhelm. The indelible Arndt taught and influenced Bleek, lecturing him at Bonn on 'The History of the Eighteenth Century' and impressing upon a young Wilhelm the works of German Romantic nationalists such as Goethe, Herder, and Fichte, whom Arndt deeply admired. This sensitive tribute to Arndt's life and work, with candid reflections and rich exposition, gives us Bleek's measure of the man-insightfully reflecting on his probity, tragedies, and essential character. Bleek published his tribute to Arndt in the 1871 issue of the Cape Monthly Magazine.

Several loose, folded columns

Ink on paper

1870

Galley proofs of Bleek's Recollections of EM Arndt (Ernst Moritz Arndt), later published in Cape Monthly Magazine (Volume 2, 1871, pages 53-62).

Ernst Moritz Arndt (a German poet), writer, and politician (his youngest son was Bleek's playfellow), daughter, and wife, German (unity), patriotism, German Fatherland Song (written by Arndt), recollections (of Arndt generally)

Bleek, in his Het Volksblad articles from 1863 to 1866, voices similar views to the late EM Arndt about Prussia's unpopular Hohenzollern kings of the late nineteenth century. Bleek's affection for Ernst Arndt must have been considerable to prompt so delicate a tribute from him.