Hugo Treffner
Encyclopedia
Hugo Hermann Fürchtegott Treffner (17 July 1845 – 13 March 1912) was the founder and first director of the Hugo Treffner Gymnasium
in Tartu
, Livonia, Russian Empire
, and an important figure in the Estonian national awakening
.
village. From 1868 to 1880 he studied filology and theology in the University of Tartu
. While studying he also worked as a private teacher. In 1883, Treffner received the permission to open his own school - a progymnasium with three classes. He was director of Treffner Gymnasium for the rest of his life while he also worked as religion teacher in other schools. He died after several health problems in 1912 and is buried in the Raadi Cemetery
in Tartu. Treffner was described by his contemporaries as a skilled politician who managed to get along with the Russian
authorities very well for the benefits to his school.
Treffner took actively part in national movement, where he sided himself with Carl Robert Jakobson
. He was a founding member of Estonian Students' Society
and the Society of Estonian Literati
as well as editor in various newspapers (Postimees
among them).
Hugo Treffner inspired A. H. Tammsaare
to create the character of "mister Maurus" in his second book of Truth and Justice. A statue of Hugo Treffner is situated at the bank of river Emajõgi
in Tartu.
Hugo Treffner Gymnasium
The Hugo Treffner Gymnasium is a secondary school in Tartu, Estonia with special emphasis on science education. Founded by Hugo Treffner, it was the only large secondary school in the 19th century Estonia with dominantly Estonian students and no age restrictions...
in Tartu
Tartu
Tartu is the second largest city of Estonia. In contrast to Estonia's political and financial capital Tallinn, Tartu is often considered the intellectual and cultural hub, especially since it is home to Estonia's oldest and most renowned university. Situated 186 km southeast of Tallinn, the...
, Livonia, Russian Empire
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
, and an important figure in the Estonian national awakening
Estonian national awakening
The Estonian Age of Awakening is a period in history where Estonians came to acknowledge themselves as a nation deserving the right to govern themselves. This period is considered to begin in 1850s with greater rights being granted to commoners and to end with the declaration of the Republic of...
.
Biography
Hugo Treffner was born in a family of local parish clerk in KanepiKanepi
Kanepi is a small borough in Kanepi Parish, Põlva County in southeastern Estonia.The name Kanep means "cannabis" in Estonian.- External links :*...
village. From 1868 to 1880 he studied filology and theology in the University of Tartu
University of Tartu
The University of Tartu is a classical university in the city of Tartu, Estonia. University of Tartu is the national university of Estonia; it is the biggest and highest-ranked university in Estonia...
. While studying he also worked as a private teacher. In 1883, Treffner received the permission to open his own school - a progymnasium with three classes. He was director of Treffner Gymnasium for the rest of his life while he also worked as religion teacher in other schools. He died after several health problems in 1912 and is buried in the Raadi Cemetery
Raadi cemetery
The Raadi cemetery) is one of the oldest and largest cemeteries in Tartu, in Estonia, dating from the 18th century. Many prominent historical figures from the history of Estonia are buried here. It is also the largest burial ground of the Baltic Germans in Estonia after the destruction of Kopli...
in Tartu. Treffner was described by his contemporaries as a skilled politician who managed to get along with the Russian
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
authorities very well for the benefits to his school.
Treffner took actively part in national movement, where he sided himself with Carl Robert Jakobson
Carl Robert Jakobson
Carl Robert Jakobson was an Estonian writer, politician and teacher active in Livonia, Russian Empire. He was one of the most important persons of Estonian national awakening in the second half of the 19th century.Between 1860 and 1880, the Governorate of Livonia was led by a moderate...
. He was a founding member of Estonian Students' Society
Estonian Students' Society
Estonian Students' Society is the largest and oldest all-male academical student society in Estonia, which is similar to Baltic German student corporations . It was founded in 1870 at the University of Tartu...
and the Society of Estonian Literati
Society of Estonian Literati
The Society of Estonian Literati was an influential association of Estonian intellectuals based in Tartu between the years 1871 to 1893.-History:...
as well as editor in various newspapers (Postimees
Postimees
Postimees is an Estonian daily newspaper. It was established in 1 January 1857 by Johann Voldemar Jannsen and became Estonia's first daily newspaper in 1891....
among them).
Hugo Treffner inspired A. H. Tammsaare
Anton Hansen Tammsaare
Anton Hansen Tammsaare , born Anton Hansen, was an Estonian writer whose pentalogy Truth and Justice is considered one of the major works of Estonian literature and "The Estonian Novel"....
to create the character of "mister Maurus" in his second book of Truth and Justice. A statue of Hugo Treffner is situated at the bank of river Emajõgi
Emajõgi
The Emajõgi is a river in Estonia which flows from Lake Võrtsjärv through Tartu County into Lake Peipus, crossing the city of Tartu for 10 km. It has a length of 100 km...
in Tartu.
Sources
- Ülo KaevatsÜlo KaevatsÜlo Kaevats is an Estonian statesman, retired academic, and philosopher.Kaevats holds a PhD from Vilnius State University in Lithuania...
et al. 1996. Eesti Entsüklopeedia 9. Tallinn: Eesti Entsüklopeediakirjastus, ISBN 5-89900-047-3