Friedrich von Oppeln-Bronikowski

Friedrich von Oppeln-Bronikowski (7 April 1873 – 9 October 1936) was a German writer, translator, publisher and cultural historian. His grave is located in the Stahnsdorf South-Western Cemetery near Berlin.

Life Friedrich von Oppeln-Bronikowski was born into a traditionalist family of military officers in Kassel. He began a similarly ambitious military career himself, attending a cadet academy then joining a Hussar regiment. However, a serious riding accident brought his military career to a sudden end.

Studies and writing career Oppeln-Bronikowski turned his attention to a civilian education, studying philosophy and archaeology in Berlin. Afterwards he lived as an independent author first in Italy then in Switzerland. In 1905 he returned to Berlin and published numerous novels, novellas, and short stories. Military life and Prussian history were frequent subjects of his works and appealed to the interests of his contemporaries. He also wrote biographical compositions and essays on cultural history.

Translations Oppeln-Bronikowski translated a great deal of French and Belgian literature, including the works of Maurice Maeterlinck. Notably, he also translated Niccolò Machiavelli's The Prince from Italian. With the beginning of the First World War in 1914, Oppeln-Bronikowski was summoned for military service and served with the General Staff. From 1920 to 1923 he was active in the foreign ministry.

Writings against Antisemitism In his later works Oppeln-Bronikowski opposed the growing antisemitism in Germany. He advocated equitable treatment of Jews with Antisemitismus? Eine unparteiische Prüfung ("Antisemitism? An objective examination") in 1920 and Gerechtigkeit! Zur Lösung der Judenfrage ("Justice! Resolving the Jewish question") in 1932.

Selected works Aus dem Sattel geplaudert und Anderes, 1898 Der Rebell, 1908 Antisemitismus ? Eine unparteiische Prüfung, 1920 Gerechtigkeit! Zur Lösung der Judenfrage, 1932 Der große König als erster Diener seines Staates, 1934 Der alte Dessauer, 1936 Der Exot, 2012 (Manuscript 1929)