Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Emil Ludwig, Noted Jewish Biographer, Dies in Switzerland; Was 67 Years Old

September 20, 1948
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

Emil Ludwig, world-famous Jewish biographer of many prominent world figures, died in his sleep here, it was reported over the week-end. He was 67 years of age.

Born in Germany, he became a citizen of Switzerland following the rise of Nazism. His biographical works on Christ, Lincoln, Kaiser William II, Goethe Bismarck and Beethoven, besides many others, were burned by the Nazis. He was a prolific writer, not only with biographical studies of famous personalities but also was the author of plays and political essays.

He was active in a number of Jewish causes. He attended the Universities of Breslau and Heidelberg, receiving his law degree from the latter institution. His main interest as a lawyer was social welfare, but he soon turned to writing on the lives of Napoleon, Hindenburg, Masaryk, Cleopatra, F.D. Roosevelt, Stalin, Sigmund Freud and numerous others.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement