A 1971 novel titled Reunion, initially printed in a run of just 700 copies, eventually established Fred Uhlman as a writer of note. This work, alongside his significant portfolio of paintings, reflects the complex path of a man who transitioned from a legal career in Germany to the cultural circles of London.
Legal Training and Flight from Germany
Born in Stuttgart in 1901, Uhlman pursued a legal education at the universities of Freiburg, Munich, and Tübingen. He earned a doctorate in Canon and Civil Law in 1923. Following the political shifts of March 1933, he moved to Paris. Lacking the legal status to practice law or earn a wage, he turned to drawing and painting for sustenance. His time in France was marked by the precarity of the stateless, briefly interrupted by an unsuccessful relocation to Spain before he arrived in England in September 1936.
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In November 1936, Uhlman married Diana Croft, the daughter of Lord Croft, against her parents' objections. Their residence on Downshire Hill in Hampstead became a hub for European exiles. During this period, he founded the Free German League of Culture, though he later distanced himself from the organization. Following the outbreak of the Second World War, he was interned as an enemy alien in June 1940 at Hutchinson Camp on the Isle of Man, where he encountered artist Kurt Schwitters.
Artistic Development and Literary Acclaim
Uhlman’s career as a painter saw him exhibit at the Galerie Le Niveau in Paris in 1935, followed by regular shows in Britain, notably at the Zwemmer Gallery. His work, which reached a retrospective at London’s Leighton House Museum in 1968, is held in the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Fitzwilliam Museum. His literary output included his 1960 memoir and the 1971 novel Reunion, which gained widespread recognition upon its 1977 republication.
Legacy and Collections
Beyond his own creative output, Uhlman assembled an extensive collection of African sculpture. In 1984, the year before his death in London, he donated these items to the Hatton Gallery at Newcastle University. His influence extended to film and theater; his novella served as the basis for a 1989 film directed by Jerry Schatzberg with a screenplay by Harold Pinter, and it was adapted for the stage in 2010.
Fast facts
- Born: 1901, Stuttgart
- Died: 11 April 1985, London
- Education: Eberhard-Ludwigs-Gymnasium; University of Tübingen
- Professions: Writer, painter, lawyer
- Spouse: Diana Croft
- Notable work: Reunion
- Burial place: Yarpole, Herefordshire
Questions readers ask
What was the significance of the 1977 republication of Reunion?
The book achieved critical acclaim following its 1977 reissue, which included an introduction by Arthur Koestler, who categorized it as a minor masterpiece.
Where can the collection donated by Fred Uhlman be seen?
His collection of African sculpture is held on permanent display at the Hatton Gallery, located at Newcastle University.
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