Fritz Steuben facts for kids

Fritz Steuben (born Erhard Wittek on December 3, 1898, died June 4, 1981) was a German author. He became well-known for writing exciting novels and stories about Native Americans. He used the pen name Fritz Steuben for these popular books.

His most famous novels told the life story of the Shawnee chief Tecumseh. These books were very popular and reflected some of the widely held ideas in Germany during the time they were written. Steuben also wrote several war novels based on his own experiences in World War I. He published these under his real name, Erhard Wittek.

Who Was Fritz Steuben?

Early Life and Military Service

Erhard Wittek was born in a town called Wongrowitz, which was then in the Province of Posen. When he was a young man, he served in World War I. This experience later inspired some of his books.

A Career in Publishing

After the war ended, Wittek began working in the book industry. He started as an apprentice in a bookstore. Eventually, he became the head of production at a publishing company called Franckh-Kosmos in Stuttgart, Germany.

Writing About Native Americans

From 1929 to 1952, Erhard Wittek wrote many stories about Native Americans using his pen name, Fritz Steuben. His most famous series was about the Shawnee chief Tecumseh. This series had eight books, following Tecumseh's life from childhood until his death.

In 1937, Wittek moved to Neustrelitz and became a full-time writer. Later, in 1955, he moved to Pinneberg, where he lived until he passed away.

Steuben's books about Native Americans were very popular. They were written during a time when certain political views were widespread in Germany. Unlike some other popular Western authors, Steuben tried to base his stories on real people and historical information available to him. By the 1930s, his books had sold over 790,000 copies in Germany.

The Legacy of His Books

After World War II, the Tecumseh series was updated. Parts that reflected the earlier political ideas were removed or changed to make them more suitable for new readers. These updated versions of his books are still available today.

Fritz Steuben also edited new versions of books by James Fenimore Cooper, another famous author. Cooper, along with Rudyard Kipling, was was one of Steuben's favorite writers.

Selected Works by Fritz Steuben

Fritz Steuben wrote many books under both his real name and his pen name. Here are some of his notable works:

Books by Erhard Wittek

• Durchbruch anno achtzehn. Ein Fronterlebnis (Breakthrough 1918: A Frontline Experience), 1933
• Männer. Ein Buch des Stolzes (Men. A Book of Pride), 1936
• Ein Becher Wasser, und andere Begebenheiten aus Polen (A Cup of Water, and other stories from Poland), 1940

Books by Fritz Steuben

• Tecumseh Series: This popular series followed the life of the Shawnee chief Tecumseh.
  • Der fliegende Pfeil (The Flying Arrow), 1930
  • Der rote Sturm (The Red Storm), 1931
  • Tecumseh, der Berglöwe (Tecumseh, the Mountain Lion), 1932
  • Der strahlende Stern (The Shining Star), 1934
  • Tecumsehs Tod (Tecumseh's Death), 1939
• Die Karawane am Persergolf (The Caravan on the Persian Gulf), 1935
• Emir Dynamit. Bilder aus dem Leben des Obersten Lawrence (Emir Dynamite. Pictures from the Life of Colonel Lawrence), 1949
• Mississippi Saga, Sieur de la Salle, Entdecker, Eroberer, Edelmann (Mississippi Saga, Sieur de la Salle, Discoverer, Conqueror, Nobleman), 1956