Agathe Lasch: The first professor at the University of Hamburg and her struggle for free science
Agathe Lasch: The first professor at the University of Hamburg and her struggle for free science
The groundbreaking performance of Agathe Lasch: The first German studies professor in Germany
Agathe Lasch was born on July 4th, 1879 in Berlin as one of five children of a Jewish family. She was not ready to bend the obstacles of the early 20th century as a woman and Jew, but fought for a free science. In 1906 it existed in Berlin the Abitur examination and wanted to study what was not allowed in Prussia for women at this time. So she enrolled in Heidelberg and did his doctorate in 1909 with a study on the history of the written language in Berlin until the middle of the 16th century. A year later, her dissertation was even published as a book, which was overwhelmed in specialist circles.
In contrast to Germany, Agathe Lasch was given the opportunity to work at the women's college Bryn Mawr in Pennsylvania. There she published the "Middle Low German Grammar" in 1914, which is still considered a fundamental work to research the Middle Low German. In 1917 she returned to Germany and worked on the University as a "scientific aid worker". In 1923 she was the first wife of the professor title, but without consequences because she only received a call to a professorship position in December 1926.
With the takeover of the National Socialists, Agathe's life changed dramatically. In 1934 she had to vacate her post and was soon no longer allowed to enter the university when Jew. Finally, in July 1942 she was deported to Riga with her two sisters and murdered on August 18, 1942.
Agathe Lasch was not only an outstanding scientist, but she was also an important caregiver for her students. She not only gave them their attention, but was also ready to provide financial support. Their dedication to their work and their influence in the field of German studies are still unforgettable. In recognition of its services, the city of Hamburg has been awarding the Agathe Lasch Prize since 1991.
sources:
- Christine M. Kaiser (publicist), interview partner
- Ingrid Schröder (professor), interview partner
- Christine M. Kaiser: Agathe Lasch. First German studies professor in Germany. Berlin 2007
- Mirko Notcheid and others (ed.): The Germanist Agathe Lasch. Systems to live, work and effect. Nordhausen 2009
- Ingrid Schröder: Agathe Lasch - the first professor at the University of Hamburg. In: respect! Women change science at the University of Hamburg. Norderstedt 2019
- Ingrid Schröder: In Honorem Agathe Lasch. In: Literature in the Low German-speaking area (1200-1600). (in appearance)
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Author: Heide Soltau
Editor: Carolin Rückl and Frank Zirpins
technology: Nicolas Dohle
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