Hans Baumann (writer) facts for kids

Hans Baumann (born April 22, 1914 – died November 7, 1988) was a German poet, songwriter, and author. He was also a talented translator and wrote many popular children's books.

Hans Baumann: Poet and Author

Early Life and Writing

Hans Baumann was born in Amberg, Bavaria, in 1914. He grew up in a military family. From a young age, he was very proud of his German heritage. He was also part of a Catholic group called "New Germany."

Baumann started writing songs and poems when he was a teenager. One of his early works was "Macht keinen Lärm" in 1933. By 1934, leaders of the Hitler Youth noticed his talent. They invited him to Berlin to work as a songwriter and journalist.

In the 1930s, Baumann wrote many poems and songs. Some of his songs became very popular at the time. For example, his 1932 song Es zittern die morschen Knochen ("The frail bones tremble") was widely known. It became a marching song for a group called the Reichsarbeitsdienst in 1935. Today, these songs are not accepted because of their connection to a difficult period in history. However, other songs he wrote, like "Hohe Nacht der klaren Sterne," are still sometimes sung.

Baumann visited Passau in 1938. A local newspaper reported that he was going to Bulgaria. He also wrote an article praising Passau. In 1939, he returned to Passau to read from his new play, Rüdiger von Bechelaren. This play was performed again in 1940.

War Years and Later Career

When World War II began in 1939, Baumann joined the German army. He spent most of the war on the Eastern front. He worked in a special unit that created propaganda. During the war, he continued to write. He published two collections of war poems: Briefgedichte (1941) and Der Wandler Krieg (1942).

In December 1942, Baumann returned to Passau. He married Elisabeth Zoglmann there. In April 1944, a newspaper reported that he spoke to the Hitler Youth in Passau.

After the war, Baumann was held in a prisoner of war camp. When he was released, he changed his views. He became one of the most popular writers for children and teenagers. His books often explored nature and history. Some of his famous titles include I Marched with Hannibal and The Sons of the Steppe.

His children's books won many international awards. He received the New York Herald Tribune prize in 1968. He also won the Batchelder Award in 1971. His early children's books were seen as very important. They were described as "long complicated stories" with deep ideas.

Baumann also tried writing for adults, but it was harder for him. People were cautious about his past connections. In 1962, he had to return an award he received for a play. This happened when his real identity was discovered.

Besides writing, Baumann was a skilled translator. He translated many books from Russian into German. These included works by famous authors like Dostoevsky and Tolstoy. His own books were translated into more than twenty languages.

Hans Baumann passed away in Murnau am Staffelsee, Bavaria, on November 7, 1988.

List of English Books

Here are some of Hans Baumann's works that were translated into English:

• The Caves of the Great Hunters (1955)
• Son of Columbus (1957)
• The Barque of the Brothers: A Tale of the Days of Henry the Navigator (1958)
• The Sons of the Steppe: The Story of how the Conqueror Genghis Khan Was Overcome (1958)
• The World of the Pharaohs (1960)
• I Marched with Hannibal (1961)
• Gold and Gods of Peru (1963)
• Lion Gate and Labyrinth (1967)
• Alexander's Great March (1968)
• In the Land of Ur: The Discovery of Ancient Mesopotamia (1969)
• Dimitri and the False Tsars (1970)

Works by and about Hans Baumann (writer) in the German National Library catalogue