Johann Martin Schleyer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Johann Martin Schleyer
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| Born |
Martin Schleyer
18 July 1831 Oberlauda, Grand Duchy of Baden
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| Died | 16 August 1912 (aged 81) |
| Occupation | Catholic priest |
| Known for | Inventor of Volapük |
Martin Schleyer (born July 18, 1831 – died August 16, 1912) was a German Catholic priest. He is famous for creating a special constructed language called Volapük. His real name was Martin Schleyer, but he also used "Johann" to honor his godfather.
Contents
Who Was Martin Schleyer?
Martin Schleyer was born in a place called Oberlauda in Baden, Germany. He became a priest in 1856. He spent many years working as a pastor, helping people in different towns.
Why He Created Volapük
Schleyer said he got the idea for an international language from a conversation with a farmer in his church. The farmer's son had moved to America. The father couldn't write letters that the American postal service could read. This made it hard for them to communicate. Schleyer wanted to create a language that everyone could learn and use to talk to each other, no matter where they lived.
Early Life as a Priest
From 1867 to 1875, Schleyer was a pastor in Krumbach. During this time, he faced some challenges because of his strong beliefs. He even spent four months in jail for speaking out against certain ideas during a period called the Kulturkampf. This was a time when the German government and the Catholic Church had some disagreements.
After that, from 1875 to 1885, he was a pastor in Litzelstetten. He later said that his first seven years there were some of the happiest times of his life.
Creating and Spreading Volapük
While in Litzelstetten, Schleyer was the editor of a magazine called Sionsharfe. This magazine mostly featured Catholic poems. In May 1879, he first wrote about his new language, Volapük, in this magazine.
The next year, in 1880, he published a whole book about Volapük. People became very interested in the language. Soon, new clubs for Volapük speakers started appearing all over Europe.
Later Years and Recognition
After 1885, Schleyer had to stop working as a pastor because he was not well. However, he continued to be involved with the Volapük movement for a few more years.
In 1894, a very important person, Pope Leo XIII, gave him a special honor. He made Schleyer a "papal prelate." This means he was given a special title by the Pope.
Martin Schleyer passed away in Konstanz in 1912.
Remembering Martin Schleyer
Today, people still remember Martin Schleyer. In June 2001, a special effort began to have him "beatified." Beatification is a step in the Catholic Church towards recognizing someone as a saint. This effort is based in his old church parish in Litzelstetten.
Also, a high school in Lauda-Königshofen is named after him. It's called the Martin-Schleyer-Gymnasium Lauda-Königshofen.
Images for kids
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Grave of Johann Martin Schleyer, Main cemetery of Konstanz, Germany
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Hauptfriedhof Konstanz, Germany (main cemetery), Riesenbergweg. Grave of Johann Martin Schleyer, inscription. Area 12, Row 11 in the north eastern part of the cemetery.
See also
In Spanish: Johann Martin Schleyer para niños
