When and where was Hermann Oldenberg born?
Hermann Oldenberg entered the world on the 31st of October 1854 in Hamburg. This German city became his starting point before he traveled into the deep waters of ancient Indian texts.
Questions about Hermann Oldenberg
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What is the title of Hermann Oldenberg's major study on Buddhism published in 1881?
His 1881 study on Buddhism carried the title Buddha: Sein Leben, seine Lehre, seine Gemeinde. This book relied heavily on Pāli texts to explain the life and teachings of the historical figure and has remained continuously in print since its first publication.
Which university did Hermann Oldenberg hold a professorship at starting in 1898?
He held a professorship at Kiel University starting in 1898 before moving to Göttingen in 1908. These appointments marked the peak of his academic career within German higher education institutions.
Who edited the Sacred Books of the East series that featured Hermann Oldenberg's translations?
Max Müller edited the monumental Sacred Books of the East series that featured Oldenberg's translations. Together with T. W. Rhys Davids he produced three volumes of Theravada Vinaya texts between 1881 and 1885.
When did Hermann Oldenberg die and what international honor did he receive shortly before his death?
Hermann Oldenberg died in March 1920 after becoming a foreign member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1919. The election came just one year before his passing in Göttingen and reflected international respect for his scholarly output across multiple disciplines including Buddhism and Vedic studies.