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Walter and Betty Friedemann Collection

 Collection
Identifier: AR 11056

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

  • Creation: 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

Arrangement

The collection consists of a single series:

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

Contact:
15 West 16th Street
New York NY 10011 United States