Fritz Steuben facts for kids

Erhard Wittek (born December 3, 1898, died June 4, 1981) was a German writer. He was best known by his pen name, Fritz Steuben. Under this name, he wrote exciting adventure stories about Native Americans, especially focusing on the famous Shawnee chief Tecumseh. He also wrote war novels based on his own experiences in World War I.

Early Life and Career

Erhard Wittek was born in a town called Wongrowitz, which was then part of Germany. He fought in World War I. After the war, he started working in bookstores. He eventually became the head of production at a publishing company called Franckh-Kosmos in Stuttgart.

Writing as Fritz Steuben

From 1929 to 1952, Erhard Wittek wrote stories about Native Americans using his pen name, Fritz Steuben. His most famous works were the eight books in his Tecumseh series. These books followed the life of the Shawnee chief Tecumseh, from when he was a child until his death.

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

His Books and Stories

Fritz Steuben wrote many books, especially his popular Native American stories. His stories were different from some other famous German adventure writers. Steuben tried to base his stories on real people and used information he could find.

His books were very popular in Germany. By the 1930s, about 790,000 copies of his books had been sold. After World War II, his Tecumseh series was updated. Some parts were changed to remove old ideas that were not right. These updated versions are still available today.

Books by Erhard Wittek

• Durchbruch anno achtzehn. Ein Fronterlebnis (Breakthrough in '18. A Front 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 Events from Poland), 1940
• Der Marsch nach Lowitsch. Ein Bericht (The March to Lowitsch. A Report), 1940

Books as Fritz Steuben (Tecumseh Series)

• Schneller Fuß und Pfeilmädchen (Swift Foot and Arrow Girl), 1935
• 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
• Tecumseh, der große Seher (Tecumseh, the Great Seer)
• Der Sohn des Manitu (The Son of Manitu), 1938
• Tecumsehs Tod (Tecumseh's Death), 1939

Other Books by Fritz Steuben

• Die Karawane am Persergolf (The Caravan at 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, Explorer, Conqueror, Nobleman), 1956
• Gunnar vom Eisland (Gunnar from Iceland), 1957
• Der weite Ritt (The Long Ride), 1960

Steuben also helped edit new versions of books by James Fenimore Cooper. Cooper and Rudyard Kipling were his favorite authors.

Translated Works

Fritz Steuben also translated some books into German, including:

• Richard Morenus: Alaska Slim. Ein Leben in der Wildnis (Alaska Slim. A Life in the Wilderness), 1956
• Glenn Tucker: Tecumseh (Tecumseh, Vision of Glory), 1969