Albrecht Bitzius

January 4, 1797 (age 57)

Murten, Switzerland

Albert's first work, the Bauernspiegel, appeared in 1837. It purported to be the life of Jeremias Gotthelf, narrated by himself, and this name was later adopted by the author as his pen name. It is a living picture of Bernese (or, strictly speaking, Emmenthal) village life, true to nature, and not attempting to gloss over its defects and failings. It is written (like the rest of his works) in the Bernese dialect of the Emmenthal, though it must be remembered that Bitzius was not (like Auerbach) a peasant by birth, but belonged to the educated classes, so that he reproduces what he had seen and learnt, and not what he had himself personally experienced. Among his later tales are the Leiden und Freuden eines Schulmeisters (1838 - 1839), Uli der Knecht (1841), with its continuation, Uli der Pachter (1849), Anne Babi Jowiiger (1843- 1844), Kathi die Grossmutter (1847), Die Kaserei in der Vehfreude (1850), and the Erlebnisse eines Schuldenbauers (1854). He published also several volumes of shorter tales.

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Albrecht Bitzius

also known as Jeremias Gotthelf

novelist

Background

Albert Bitzius was born on the 4th of October 1797 at Murten, Switzerland, where his father was pastor.

Education

Albert Bitzius studied theology at Bern and Göttingen. From 1820 to 1824, while curate under his father, he also taught school, gaining the detailed knowledge of elementary education.

Career

Albert's first work, the Bauernspiegel, appeared in 1837. It purported to be the life of Jeremias Gotthelf, narrated by himself, and this name was later adopted by the author as his pen name. It is a living picture of Bernese (or, strictly speaking, Emmenthal) village life, true to nature, and not attempting to gloss over its defects and failings.

It is written (like the rest of his works) in the Bernese dialect of the Emmenthal, though it must be remembered that Bitzius was not (like Auerbach) a peasant by birth, but belonged to the educated classes, so that he reproduces what he had seen and learnt, and not what he had himself personally experienced.

Among his later tales are the Leiden und Freuden eines Schulmeisters (1838 - 1839), Uli der Knecht (1841), with its continuation, Uli der Pachter (1849), Anne Babi Jowiiger (1843- 1844), Kathi die Grossmutter (1847), Die Kaserei in der Vehfreude (1850), and the Erlebnisse eines Schuldenbauers (1854).

He published also several volumes of shorter tales.

Achievements

Albert Bitzius is remembered for his work, the Bauernspiegel, in which he described a living picture of Bernese ( Emmenthal) village life. Another his famous work i s Die Schwarze Spinne (The Black Spider).

Works

The Black Spider (New York Review Books Classics) The Black Spider (New York Review Books Classics)

book
- The Black Spider (New York Review Books Classics)

Politics

One slight drawback to some of his writings is the echo of local political controversies, for Bitzius was a Whig and strongly opposed to the Radical party in the canton, which carried the day in 1846.

Connections

Albert Bitzius had a son, who became a pastor and two daughters, who was married to pastors.

References

Albert Bitzius (Jeremias Gotthelf) Sein Leben Und Seine Schriften. (German Edition)

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