Sudermann, Hermann (1857-1928)

Sudermann, Hermann

NOVELIST, PLAYWRIGHT (GERMANY)

BORN 30 Sep 1857, Matzicken, Ostpreussen (now: Macikai, Lithuania) - DIED 21 Nov 1928, Berlin
CAUSE OF DEATH stroke, followed by pneumonia
GRAVE LOCATION Berlin: Landeseigener Friedhof Grunewald, Bornstedter Straße 11-12 (Abt. V, Grab 58 (Ehrengrab))

Hermann Sudermann was the son of the farmer and brewer Johannes Sudermann and his wife Dorothea (born Raabe). He started an apprenticeship as a pharmacist, but health problems forced him to give it. After that he attended the Realgymnasium in Tilsit from 1872 to 1875 and he studied history and philsophy in Köningsberg. In 1877 he continued his studies in Berlin and at the same time worked as a home teacher. After he abandoned his studies he became a journist.

From 1881 he worked for the "Liberalen Correpondenz" and as editor-in-chief of the liberal paper "Das Deutsche Reichsblatt". In 1882 he published his first writings in "Reichsfreunds". His "Erzählungen Im Zwielicht" (1886) was inspired by Guy de Maupassant. He published his first novel "Fau Sorge" in 1887. His play "Die Ehre" was a sensational success at the Lessingtheater in in Berlin in 1889. In 1890 his novel "Der Katzensteg" was published. In 1893 his play "Heimat" was another success.

Sudermann married the widowed author Clara Lauckner in 1891 and she brought three children with her and together they had a daughter, Hede. After living in Dresden and Köningsberg they settled in Berlin in 1895. His success enabled him to acquire the castle and the park of the Blankensee estate near Trebbin and there he lived from 1902. He decorated the castle from his collection of paintings and sculptures and with objects that he had collected during his travels to Greece, Egypt and other countries. Later he also owned a villa at the Bettinastrasse in Berlin-Grunewald.

In 1914 he wrote patriottic poetry at the beginning of the First World War and he signed the manifest "An die Kulturwelt!" that defended Germany against accusations of its war opponents. In 1924 Clara died and Sudermann was buried beside her after his own death in 1928. His villa in Grunewald was maintained as a memorial for him by the Sudermann Foundation. In 2005 is was sold and Sudermann's collections were auctioned off.

Family
• Wife: Sudermann, Clara (1891-1924, Helgoland)

Related persons
• was a friend of Heyse, Paul
• was step-parent of Lauckner, Rolf
• was a friend of Spielhagen, Friedrich

Events