A 1912 adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's Peer Gynt brought Dietrich Eckart both financial success and a platform to propagate nationalist ideologies. Through more than 600 performances in Berlin, he recast the protagonist as a heroic figure fighting against what he deemed troll-like forces, establishing a narrative framework that would later influence his political associations in Germany.
Early Career and Literary Pursuits
Born in 1868 in Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz, Dietrich Eckart initially studied law at Erlangen and medicine at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München. By 1891, he transitioned into writing, eventually settling in Berlin in 1899. Supported by Count Georg von Hülsen-Haeseler, he produced several plays, often autobiographical in nature, before his adaptation of Peer Gynt secured his reputation. Following his time in Berlin, he returned to Munich in 1913 after marrying Rose Marx.
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Eckart's transition toward intense antisemitism was marked by his admiration for Otto Weininger and an eventual embrace of the so-called stab-in-the-back legend. In 1918, he founded the weekly publication Auf gut Deutsch, receiving support from the Thule Society. By 1919, he became an active member of the Deutschvölkischer Schutz und Trutzbund. His ideology combined these views with a belief in a genius superman, drawing from various Völkisch authors and a personal interest in Buddhist concepts.
Founding the German Workers' Party
In January 1919, alongside Anton Drexler, Gottfried Feder, and Karl Harrer, Eckart helped establish the Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, which was later renamed the National Socialist German Workers' Party. He served as the original publisher of the party newspaper, Völkischer Beobachter, and authored the lyrics for the party anthem, Sturmlied. Eckart provided vital introductions for Adolf Hitler to influential citizens, framing Hitler's political role through the lens of his own ideological interpretations of Gynt.
Final Years
Following his participation in the 1923 Beer Hall Putsch, Eckart was incarcerated at Landsberg Prison. Shortly after his release, he died on 26 December 1923 in Berchtesgaden due to a heart attack. He is buried at the Alter Friedhof Berchtesgaden. In 1933, his status was elevated in Nazi Germany, where he was recognized as a spiritual co-founder of the movement.
Fast facts
- Born: 1868, Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz
- Died: 1923, Berchtesgaden
- Burial place: Alter Friedhof Berchtesgaden
- Primary occupations: Poet, journalist, politician
- Party affiliation: NSDAP predecessor DAP
- Notable work: Peer Gynt adaptation
- Party publication: Völkischer Beobachter
- Language: German
Questions readers ask
What was Eckart's connection to the Nazi Party?
He was a co-founder of the German Workers' Party (DAP), the precursor to the Nazi Party, and an early mentor to Adolf Hitler.
How did his literary work influence his politics?
He used his adaptation of Peer Gynt to frame nationalist and antisemitic views, presenting the lead character as a heroic figure fighting perceived cultural enemies.
