Otto Newman facts for kids

Otto Newman (born Otto Neumann, 1922 – 2015) was a smart thinker from Austria. He became a professor who taught about how societies work, a field called Sociology. He taught at universities in Scotland, London, and California. Otto Newman wrote many books and papers that were read all over the world. Some of his important books include Gambling: Hazard and Reward and The Challenge of Corporatism. He also wrote about big ideas like "The Third Way" and "American Declinism."

Otto Newman's Life Story

Escaping Danger

Otto Neumann was born in Vienna, Austria, on July 2, 1922. When he was 16, he had to leave his home quickly. He escaped during a difficult time called the Anschluss. This was when Germany took over Austria. Otto left Vienna on December 13, 1938, on the very last Kindertransport train. This train helped many children escape to safety.

When Otto arrived in England, he first stayed at a holiday camp. Later, he was offered a home with an English family. But Otto was very bright! He took a special test and was one of only 18 older children from the Kindertransport to get a spot at the University of Oxford. He studied there for three years.

War Years and Challenges

In 1939, a big war started. Many people who had come to Britain from Germany, Austria, or Italy were called "enemy aliens." This included Jewish people who had fled from Hitler's unfair rules.

Otto could not finish his studies at Oxford. On the very first day of his final exams, he was taken away. He was held because he was considered an "enemy alien."

On his 18th birthday, July 2, 1940, Otto was sent to the Isle of Man. Later, he moved to a camp at the Lingfield horse racing track.

Otto was supposed to sail on two different ships to leave the country. One ship was going to Australia, and another to North America. But each time, his name was not on the final list. Luckily, both of those ships were later sunk by enemy attacks.

After being released, Otto wanted to go to America. He had family there who would help him. But because so many ships were being sunk, no more passengers were allowed to travel.

Otto found work in London and helped as a fire watcher during the war. He tried to join the RAF (Royal Air Force), but he was not allowed because his parents were still in Vienna. He then worked in a factory making parts for fighter planes.

When he was 22, Otto became a professional gambler. He did this until the war ended.

Otto was also a great athlete! For two years, he was the 100-yard swimming champion in Chelsea and Kensington. In the last year of the war, he reached the final of the British Open Table Tennis Championship. He beat two top players and only lost to the world champion after a tough game. He also played football for a strong amateur team. But he hurt his knee, which ended his football career.

Starting a Business

Otto married June Pattenden on June 6, 1946. They soon had two children, Paul (born 1947) and Victoria (born 1948). Otto worked as a company secretary for a fashion business in London.

Later, he started his own clothing company called Paul Asker Fashions. His most successful product was the modern Hoop Skirt in the 1950s. His wife designed this popular skirt.

Returning to School

When he was 40, Otto left his successful business. He went back to school to finish his education. He studied at the University of London, earning a diploma in Sociology in 1964. He then went to the London School of Economics. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Sociology in 1966 and his PhD in Sociology in 1970.

From 1968 to 1971, he taught sociology at the University of Stirling in Scotland.

In 1971, he moved to the Polytechnic of the South Bank in London. He became the head of the Social Sciences department from 1975 to 1987. He also led a research group that worked with the Greater London Council. They helped create plans to improve life for young people in the city.

Moving to the United States

From 1981 to 1982, Otto was a visiting teacher at Sangamon State University. This school is now called the University of Illinois Springfield. He then returned to South Bank University.

In 1987, he moved to California. He took a job at San Diego State University. He also visited and studied at the University of California, San Diego from 1987 to 1990. In 2008, he finished writing his life story. It was called "Escapes and Adventures: A 20th Century Odyssey."

Otto Newman passed away on November 29, 2015, at the age of 93.

Otto Newman's Education

• Inter BSc (Math/Eng), University of Oxford, 1940
• DipSoc (double distinction), University of London, 1964
• BSc (Soc), London School of Economics, University of London, 1966
• PhD (Soc), London School of Economics, University of London, 1970

Sharing His Story

Otto Newman's video story is kept in the libraries of several important places. He shared his experiences from the war and his escape. You can find his testimony at:

• Simon Wiesenthal Center, Los Angeles
• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington, D.C.
• Holocaust Museum Houston
• Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre
• Imperial War Museum, London, UK.
• Yad Vashem, Israel