Johann Ernst Benno

Johann Ernst Benno (* 1777 in Körlin an der Persante ; † 1848 in Köslin ; actually Johann Ernst Benike ) was a German writer . Among other things, he published historical novels about Pomeranian history.

Life

He was born in 1777 in Körlin an der Persante as the son of Senator Gottlieb Daniel Benike. He attended schools in Körlin and Greifenberg and the grammar school for the gray monastery in Berlin . In the Wars of Liberation in 1813/1814 he took part as a hussar under Blücher . There he also took the surname "Benno", which he has kept since then.

Benno started a civil service career. He became government secretary first in Stettin , later in Köslin . In 1843 he was promoted to the accountant. In 1848 he died in Köslin after a long illness.

Writing activity

Johann Ernst Benno is one of the writers who followed the example of the historical novels by the British writer Walter Scott (1771–1832). He was one of the first waves of Scott reception in Germany. He wrote his historical novels specifically for his Pomeranian compatriots.

His first novel Bogislaus the Tenth. Duke of Pomerania (1822) describes the life of Duke Bogislaw X. of Pomerania (1454–1523). In 1479 he had united the divided parts of Pomerania in his hand and became famous for his pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

The novel Das Wächterhorn by Cussalin (1824) shows Western Pomerania and Pomerania in the 13th century. Duke Swantopolk the Great of Pomerania (1195–1266) and his son Duke Mestwin II (1220–1294) appear.

Johann Ernst Benno has also published numerous poems. This includes his fatherland song at the centenary festival of the union of all Pomerania (1821), which describes Pomeranian history from pagan times.

aftermath

Johann Ernst Benno's writing was quite popular in Pomerania during his time. But just 60 years after his death in 1909 he was described as almost forgotten in the monthly papers of the Society for Pomeranian History and Archeology . In the period from 1910 to 1935, revised editions of some of his works were published.

Awards

• Iron Cross , 1814
• Russian Order of Saint George , 1838
• Prussian Order of the Red Eagle , 1845

Works (selection)

• Bogislaus the Tenth. Duke of Pomerania. Verlag CG Hendeß, Köslin 1822.
• The Guardian Horn of Cussalin - or, stories from the old Wendish times . 1824.
• Stories, ballads and songs. 2 volumes. Verlag CG Hendeß, Köslin 1826/1827.
• King Burisleif and his three daughters. According to Wendish legends. Verlag CG Hendeß, Köslin 1828 ( digitized , Google).
• The conquest of Garz (novella). 1830.
• The city of Stolpe. Attempt to present a historical representation of their fates down to the most recent times. With a view of Stolpe. Verlag CG Hendeß, Köslin 1831.
• The history of the city of Coeslin from its foundation to the present day - edited from documents and reliable sources. With a lithograph. Map of the city and its immediate vicinity . Verlag CG Hendeß, Köslin 1840, approx. 360 pages ( digitized , Google).

literature

• Regina Hartmann: History is the greatest poetry - Johann Ernst Benno's historical novels about Pomerania . In: Baltic Studies. Volume 87 NF (2001), ISSN  0067-3099 , pp. 80-94.

Web links

Wikisource: Johann Ernst Benno  - Sources and full texts

• Literature by and about Johann Ernst Benno in the catalog of the German National Library