Wilhelm Mannhardt: the story on HearLore

Questionnaires And Agrarian Rituals

Mannhardt received his doctorate at Tübingen University in 1854. The following year he took charge as editor of the Zeitschrift für deutsche Mythologie und Sittenkunde journal. A massive project began in 1865 when he sent out 150,000 questionnaires to farmers and teachers. These surveys covered agrarian traditions, rituals, and superstitions across several languages. Clergymen and colleagues helped distribute the forms to rural communities. The data collected formed the backbone of his later theories on vegetation spirits. No other researcher had attempted such a vast gathering of folk knowledge before him.

Germanic Myths And Forest Cults

His first major work appeared in 1857 titled De nominibus germanorum propriis quae ad regnum referuntur observationis specimen. Mannhardt published Germanische Mythen: Forschungen two years later in 1858. He followed this with Die Götterwelt der deutschen und nordischen Völker in 1860. The most significant texts emerged between 1875 and 1877 under the title Wald- und Feldkulte. Band 1 focused on tree cults among Germanic tribes. Band 2 examined ancient forest and field cults from northern European sources. These volumes defined his research on pre-Christian pantheons for decades to come.

When was Wilhelm Mannhardt born and where did he grow up?

Wilhelm Mannhardt entered the world on the 26th of March 1831 in Friedrichstadt. He grew up in Danzig under the care of a Mennonite preacher father.

What major project did Wilhelm Mannhardt launch in 1865 to gather folk knowledge?

A massive project began in 1865 when he sent out 150,000 questionnaires to farmers and teachers. These surveys covered agrarian traditions, rituals, and superstitions across several languages.

Which books did Wilhelm Mannhardt publish between 1875 and 1877 about forest cults?

The most significant texts emerged between 1875 and 1877 under the title Wald- und Feldkulte. Band 1 focused on tree cults among Germanic tribes while Band 2 examined ancient forest and field cults from northern European sources.

How did Wilhelm Mannhardt's research focus change after 1863 due to his health issues?

Poor health forced Mannhardt into retirement from active research after 1863. He spent the last 17 years of his life working as a librarian at the Danzig municipal library.

When did Wilhelm Mannhardt die and where are his personal manuscripts kept today?

Wilhelm Mannhardt died on the 25th of December 1880. His personal manuscripts now rest within the Berlin University Library archives.

Wilhelm Mannhardt.

Questionnaires And Agrarian Rituals

Germanic Myths And Forest Cults

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