Kaspar Hauser was a German youth who claimed to have grown up in the total isolation of a darkened cell.
Background
Along with this letter was enclosed another purporting to be written by the boy's mother, stating that he was born on the 30th of April 1812, that his name was Kaspar, and that his father, formerly a cavalry officer in the 6th regiment at Nuremberg, was dead.
Education
He never saw his captor, but "the man" taught him letters and about nine words, after many years taught him to stand and walk, and finally released him.
Career
On May 26, 1828, Hauser was brought before the authorities in Nürnberg, apparently bewildered and incoherent. With him he had a letter purporting to have been written by a labourer, into whose custody, it stated, the boy had been delivered on October 7, 1812, with the proviso that he should be instructed in reading, writing, and the Christian religion but kept in close confinement. At first detained as a vagrant, the boy was later taken under the care of the educationist Georg Daumer. Next, the 4th earl of Stanhope took the boy under his protection (1832) and sent him to Ansbach, where he became a clerk in the office of the president of the court of appeal, Anselm von Feuerbach. The youth died from a wound that was either self-inflicted or, as he claimed, dealt by a stranger.
It was early alleged that he was the hereditary prince of Baden (afterward proved false), and other fanciful stories became associated with his origins. The case inspired many creative works, including Paul Verlaine’s poem in Sagesse (1881); the novels by Jacob Wassermann (1908), Sophie Hoechstetter (1925), and Otto Flake (1950); the play by Erich Ebermayer (1928); and the film directed by Werner Herzog (1974).
Views
Quotations:
On December 14, 1833, Hauser suddenly rushed into Meyer's room, clutching his side, and led Meyer to a point about five hundred yards from the house.
Hauser was unable to answer questions, but on returning to the house gasped out, "Went court garden … man … had a knife … gave a bag … struck … I ran as I could … bag must lie there. "
Personality
Hauser undoubtedly had a neurotic and hysterical temperament, and mysterious attacks seemed to occur after quarrels with his guardians.
Both Feuerbach and Daumer claimed that Hauser was an excellent example of a mediumistic subject, sensitive to animal magnetism and able to see in the dark.