Manfred Fuhrmann
Encyclopedia
Manfred Fuhrmann was a professor emeritus for classical Latin philology and one of the most eminent German philologists.
). He started his studies in Leiden. While Fuhrmann wanted to study music, he gave up this plan in favour of classical philology
and jurisprudence
, whereby the classical philology was decisive for him. 1953 he obtained his doctorate in classical philology in Freiburg, followed by his habilitation
ibidem. 1962 Fuhrmann accepted a chair at the University of Kiel
, 1966 one at the University of Konstanz
. Also, he was a member of the Heidelberger Akademie der Wissenschaften (academy of sciences of Heidelberg
) and of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences
. Furthermore, the University of Freiburg
gave Fuhrmann an honorary doctorate in jurisprudence. He died on 12th of January 2005.
and Ancient Greek
texts into German
: His probably most outstanding achievement was to translate all of Cicero
's speeches. For this translation Fuhrmann received the Johann-Heinrich-Voß-Preis (Johann-Heinrich-Voß-award) from the Deutsche Akademie für Sprache und Dichtung
1990. Besides he has translated texts from other classical authors like Horace
, Aristotle
and Plato
.
In addition to his translations, Fuhrmann became well known for his criticism of education. In his book Bildung. Europas kulturelle Identität (Education. The cultural identity of Europe) he criticised that natural sciences are much too important in the most current educational systems, whereas classical philology, history and music do not receive enough recognition.
Life
Fuhrmann was born on 23rd of June 1925 in Hiddesen (near DetmoldDetmold
Detmold is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, with a population of about 74,000. It was the capital of the small Principality of Lippe from 1468 until 1918 and then of the Free State of Lippe until 1947...
). He started his studies in Leiden. While Fuhrmann wanted to study music, he gave up this plan in favour of classical philology
Classical philology
Classical philology is the study of ancient Greek and classical Latin. Classical philology has been defined as "the careful study of the literary and philosophical texts of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds." Greek and Latin literature and civilization have traditionally been considered...
and jurisprudence
Jurisprudence
Jurisprudence is the theory and philosophy of law. Scholars of jurisprudence, or legal theorists , hope to obtain a deeper understanding of the nature of law, of legal reasoning, legal systems and of legal institutions...
, whereby the classical philology was decisive for him. 1953 he obtained his doctorate in classical philology in Freiburg, followed by his habilitation
Habilitation
Habilitation is the highest academic qualification a scholar can achieve by his or her own pursuit in several European and Asian countries. Earned after obtaining a research doctorate, such as a PhD, habilitation requires the candidate to write a professorial thesis based on independent...
ibidem. 1962 Fuhrmann accepted a chair at the University of Kiel
University of Kiel
The University of Kiel is a university in the city of Kiel, Germany. It was founded in 1665 as the Academia Holsatorum Chiloniensis by Christian Albert, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp and has approximately 23,000 students today...
, 1966 one at the University of Konstanz
University of Konstanz
The University of Konstanz is a university in the city of Konstanz in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It was founded in 1966, and the main campus on the Gießberg was opened in 1972. As one of nine German Excellence Universities today University of Konstanz is counted among Germany's most prestigious...
. Also, he was a member of the Heidelberger Akademie der Wissenschaften (academy of sciences of Heidelberg
Heidelberg
-Early history:Between 600,000 and 200,000 years ago, "Heidelberg Man" died at nearby Mauer. His jaw bone was discovered in 1907; with scientific dating, his remains were determined to be the earliest evidence of human life in Europe. In the 5th century BC, a Celtic fortress of refuge and place of...
) and of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences
Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences
The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences is an organisation dedicated to the advancement of science and literature in the Netherlands...
. Furthermore, the University of Freiburg
University of Freiburg
The University of Freiburg , sometimes referred to in English as the Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, is a public research university located in Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.The university was founded in 1457 by the Habsburg dynasty as the...
gave Fuhrmann an honorary doctorate in jurisprudence. He died on 12th of January 2005.
Achievements
Fuhrmann is generally considered to be one of the most eminent German philologists. During his lifetime he has undoubtedly achieved a lot: Above all he has worked as a translator — having translated a huge amount of classical LatinLatin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
and Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek is the stage of the Greek language in the periods spanning the times c. 9th–6th centuries BC, , c. 5th–4th centuries BC , and the c. 3rd century BC – 6th century AD of ancient Greece and the ancient world; being predated in the 2nd millennium BC by Mycenaean Greek...
texts into German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
: His probably most outstanding achievement was to translate all of Cicero
Cicero
Marcus Tullius Cicero , was a Roman philosopher, statesman, lawyer, political theorist, and Roman constitutionalist. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the equestrian order, and is widely considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists.He introduced the Romans to the chief...
's speeches. For this translation Fuhrmann received the Johann-Heinrich-Voß-Preis (Johann-Heinrich-Voß-award) from the Deutsche Akademie für Sprache und Dichtung
Deutsche Akademie für Sprache und Dichtung
The Deutsche Akademie für Sprache und Dichtung was founded on August 28, 1949—the 200th birthday of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe—in Paulskirche in Frankfurt...
1990. Besides he has translated texts from other classical authors like Horace
Horace
Quintus Horatius Flaccus , known in the English-speaking world as Horace, was the leading Roman lyric poet during the time of Augustus.-Life:...
, Aristotle
Aristotle
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, linguistics, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology...
and Plato
Plato
Plato , was a Classical Greek philosopher, mathematician, student of Socrates, writer of philosophical dialogues, and founder of the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. Along with his mentor, Socrates, and his student, Aristotle, Plato helped to lay the...
.
In addition to his translations, Fuhrmann became well known for his criticism of education. In his book Bildung. Europas kulturelle Identität (Education. The cultural identity of Europe) he criticised that natural sciences are much too important in the most current educational systems, whereas classical philology, history and music do not receive enough recognition.
Literature
- Fuhrmann, Manfred: Der europäische Bildungskanon des bürgerlichen Zeitalters. Insel. 2004.
- Fuhrmann, Manfred: Rom in der Spätantike: Porträt einer Epoche. Artemis & Winkler. 1998.
- Fuhrmann, Manfred: Cicero: Und die römische Republik. Patmos. 2005.
- Fuhrmann, Manfred: Bildung: Europas kulturelle Identität. Reclam. 2002.
- Fuhrmann, Manfred: Die antike Rhetorik. Eine Einführung. Artemis & Winkler. 2003.
- Fuhrmann, Manfred: Latein und Europa. Die fremd gewordenen Fundamente unserer Bildung. Dumont Buchverlag. 2005.
- Fuhrmann, Manfred: Die antike Rhetorik. Patmos. 2007.
- Fuhrmann, Manfred: Geschichte der römischen Literatur. Reclam. 2005.
- Fuhrmann, Manfred: Cicero: Die catilinarischen Reden. Artemis & Winkler. 1998.
- Fuhrmann, Manfred: Aristoteles: Poetik. Reclam. 1994.
- Fuhrmann, Manfred: Platon: Apologie des Sokrates. Reclam. 1986.
- Fuhrmann, Manfred: Cicero: Die Reden gegen Verres / In C. Verrem: Erste Verhandlung. Zweite Verhandlung, viertes Buch / Actio prima. Actio secunda, liber quartus. Artemis & Winkler. 1999.
Sources
- Rösler, Wolfgang. Poiss, Thomas: Zum Tod von Manfred Fuhrmann. 2005.
- Der SpiegelDer SpiegelDer Spiegel is a German weekly news magazine published in Hamburg. It is one of Europe's largest publications of its kind, with a weekly circulation of more than one million.-Overview:...
: Klüger werden mit: Manfred Fuhrmann: Der 77-jährige emeritierte Latinist über Bildung. 2002.