Wassermann, Jakob, 1873-1934

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German-born writer Jakob Wassermann was a popular novelist in the first part of the 20th century. His novels often explored the theme of a nonconformist character encountering an uncaring society, or, more specifically, the issue of retaining Jewish heritage in the face of anti-Semitism and cultural assimilation. Consistently popular in his day, his intense, psychological analysis of modern society and religion sometimes became too abstract for general audiences.

From the description of Jakob Wassermann letters and papers, 1924-1931. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 51797899

Alma Mahler speaks of Wassermann several times in her memoir Mein Leben, including an anecdote about his advising Werfel on the manuscript of Werfel's novel Verdi. Marta Wassermann-Karlweis (née Karlweis; 1889-1965) was Jakob's second wife; they were apparently together as a couple since around 1919, and were married in 1926 (following Wassermann's divorce from his first wife in the same year). Nast appears to have been a previous acquaintance of Wassermann and an attorney; Wassermann had just recently received a letter from Nast.

From the description of Correspondence to Alma Mahler and Franz Werfel, 1923-1935. (University of Pennsylvania Library). WorldCat record id: 155864754

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Wassermann, Jakob, 1873-1934. Correspondence file, 1924-1930, from Boni & Liveright and Horace Liveright, Inc. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Karl Jacoby collection of printed works by Hugo von Hofmannsthal, 1891-1945. Houghton Library
referencedIn Richard Beer-Hofmann correspondence, 1882-1967. Houghton Library
creatorOf Lewisohn, Ludwig, 1882-1955. Letters to Lewisohn [manuscript] 1925-31. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Wassermann, Jakob, 1873-1935. Correspondence to Alma Mahler and Franz Werfel, 1923-1935. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Chavkin, Eduard. Eduard Chavkin papers : typescript, 1919-1936. University of Michigan
referencedIn Kurt Wolff archive, 1907-1938 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Miller, Henry, 1891-1980. Letter to [Stefan] Schimanski, 1945 May 12. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Wassermann, Jakob, 1873-1934. Jakob Wassermann letters and papers, 1924-1931. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
referencedIn Arthur Schnitzler Autographs Collection, 1880-1931, 1962 Leo Baeck Institute Archives
referencedIn Esquire, Inc. Records, 1933-1977 Bentley Historical Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
correspondedWith Beer-Hofmann, Richard, 1866-1945 person
associatedWith Bermann Fischer, Gottfried, 1897-. person
associatedWith Chavkin, Eduard. person
associatedWith Cohen, Caroline Myers, 1844-1928, person
associatedWith Esquire, Inc. corporateBody
associatedWith Jacoby, Karl, collector. person
associatedWith Leo Baeck Institute corporateBody
associatedWith Lewisohn, Ludwig, 1882-1955. person
associatedWith Miller, Henry, 1891-1980. person
associatedWith Nast, Herr. person
associatedWith Phillips, Henry Albert, 1880-1951, person
associatedWith Schnitzler, Arthur, 1862-1931 person
associatedWith Voigt, Rudolf, 1899-1956, person
associatedWith Wassermann-Karlweis, Marta. person
associatedWith Willcox, Louise Collier, 1865-1929, person
associatedWith Wolff, Kurt, 1887-1963. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Subject
Novelists, German
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1873-03-10

Death 1934-01-01

Germans

German,

English

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SNAC ID: 22444109