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Karl Otten

1889 – 1963

German translator and writer

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About Karl Otten

Lived 1889 – 1963 (aged 73). Karl Otten was a German translator, writer, screenwriter, editor, journalist and playwright.

Karl Otten (29 July 1889 Oberkrüchten – 20 March 1963, Minusio) was a German expressionist writer and broadcaster.

Karl was an anti-militarist activist during the First World War, but was arrested for his actions. On 16 November 1918 he signed the Appeal published by the Antinational Socialist Party. In 1919 he co-founded Der Gegner with Julius Guomperz.

In 1930 he met Ellen Kroner with whom he worked closely and married her in 1939.

Following the Nazi seizure of power in 1933, Otten first went to Spain and fought in the Spanish Revolution. Following its defeat he went to London, where he wrote 120 radio broadcasts for the BBC. He went blind in 1944 and later moved to Switzerland.

Works 1913, Die Reise nach Albanien, Berlin: Heinrich F. S. Bachmair-Verlag 1919, Lona, novel 1918, Der Erhebung des Herzens Der Rote Hahn No. 4, Berlin: Verlag Die Aktion 1927, Prüfung zur Reife, novel, List Verlag 1931, Der schwarze Napoleon, biography of Toussaint L'Ouverture Berlin: Atlantis

Archive The Ellen Otten Family Papers (Leo Baeck Institute, New York) contain much information about Karl Otten.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Einhard-Gymnasium (Aachen)
Awards
German Leo Baeck Award

People in Karl Otten's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Karl Otten's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Karl Otten?

German translator and writer (1889-1963)

When was Karl Otten born?

Karl Otten was born on 29 July 1889 in Niederkrüchten.

When did Karl Otten die?

Karl Otten died on 20 March 1963 in Muralto.

What was Karl Otten's occupation?

Karl Otten was a translator, writer, screenwriter, editor, journalist and playwright.

What nationality was Karl Otten?

Karl Otten was German.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Karl Otten

· Wikidata: Q1732530

· DBpedia: Karl Otten

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Karl Otten. https://biography.guide/karl-otten/

MLA: "Karl Otten." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/karl-otten/.

Chicago: "Karl Otten." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/karl-otten/.

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