Ludwig Bechstein facts for kids

Ludwig Bechstein

Ludwig Bechstein (born November 24, 1801 – died May 14, 1860) was a German writer. He is best known for collecting and publishing many popular fairy tales. His work helped share traditional German stories with more people, much like the famous Brothers Grimm.

Ludwig was born in Weimar, Germany. His early life was quite difficult because his family was very poor. Things got better when he was nine years old. His uncle, Johann Matthäus Bechstein, adopted him in 1810. His uncle was a well-known naturalist (someone who studies nature) and forester in Meiningen. Ludwig then went to school in Meiningen and later started learning to be a pharmacist in 1818.

Becoming a Writer and Librarian

From 1828 to 1831, Ludwig Bechstein studied philosophy and literature. He was able to do this thanks to a special scholarship from Duke Bernhard II of Sachsen-Meiningen. After his studies, the Duke hired him as a librarian. This job was perfect for Ludwig. It gave him a steady income for his whole life and also lots of free time. This freedom allowed him to follow his passion for writing and collecting stories. He lived in Meiningen from 1831 until he passed away. A fountain was even built in the English Garden in Meiningen to honor him.

His Amazing Stories

Ludwig Bechstein was a very successful author during his time. He wrote many different kinds of books, including novels and poems. But he was most famous for his collections of folk tales. His book, German Fairy Tale Book, was first published in 1845. It was so popular that it even sold more copies than the Brothers Grimm's collection when it first came out! He published several collections of these traditional stories, making them available to many readers.

Important Books by Ludwig Bechstein

Cover of Villa Carlotta. Poetische Reisebilder vom Comersee und aus den lombardisch-venetianischen Landen, by Bechstein (1857)

Here are some of the important works Ludwig Bechstein published:

• Thüringische Volksmärchen (Thuringian Folk Tales) (1823)
• Sonettenkränze (Sonnet Wreaths) (1826) – This book helped Duke Bernhard notice him.
• The Children of Haymon (1830) – A long poem.
• Der Totentanz (The Dance of Death) (1831) – Another long poem.
• Grimmenthal (1833) – A novel.
• Luther (1834)
• Der Sagenschatz und die Sagenkreise des Thüringerlandes (A Treasury of Thuringian Legends and Legend Cycles) (1835–38)
• Fahrten eines Musikanten (Journeys of a Musician) (1836–37) – A novel.
• Deutsches Märchenbuch (German Fairy-Tale Book) (1845) – This was his most famous fairy tale collection.
• New Natural History of Pet Birds (1846) – A funny teaching poem.
• Berthold der Student (Berthold the Student) (1850) – A novel.
• Deutsches Sagenbuch (German Book of Legends) (1853)
• Neues Deutsches Märchenbuch (New German Fairy-Tale Book) (1856)
• Thüringer Sagenbuch (Thuringian Book of Legends) (1858)
• Thuringia's Royal House (1865)

Schools Named After Ludwig Bechstein

Ludwig Bechstein's legacy lives on, and some schools are named in his honor:

• Staatliche Grundschule 6, Erfurt: Bechsteinschule (a public elementary school)
• Ludwig-Bechstein-Grundschule, Meiningen: (a public elementary school)

See also

In Spanish: Ludwig Bechstein para niños