Fifty million copies of books authored by Otfried Preußler have been sold globally, with his stories translated into fifty-five languages. Born in 1923 in Liberec as Otfried Syrowatka, he became a prominent figure in children's literature, known for works such as The Robber Hotzenplotz and Krabat, while also serving as a school principal in Rosenheim for many years.
Early Life and Military Service
Born to teachers Erna and Josef Syrowatka, he experienced the upheaval of World War II during his formative years. In 1941, the family changed their surname to Preußler. Drafted into the German Army in 1942, he served as a lieutenant. In 1944, he was taken prisoner, spending five years in POW camps located in the Tatar Republic.
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Upon his release in June 1949, he reunited with his family and his fiancée, Annelies Kind, in the Bavarian town of Rosenheim. The couple married that same year. Between 1953 and 1970, he pursued a career in education, working as both a primary school teacher and a principal. He utilized his skills as a storyteller to entertain his students, often refining these classroom tales for publication.
Literary Career and Recognition
His prolific output included titles such as The Little Water Sprite and The Little Witch. He achieved notable success with Krabat, which earned him the Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis in 1972. His contributions to literature were acknowledged through numerous honors, including the Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1993 and the Bavarian Maximilian Order for Science and Art in 2010.
Final Years
After retiring from his primary writing career, he documented his experiences in POW camps. He resided in Haidholzen until his death in 2013 in Prien am Chiemsee. He was interred at the Städtischer Friedhof in Rosenheim. His life and work remain the subject of various documentaries, and his legacy persists through numerous educational institutions named in his honor.
Fast facts
- Born: 1923, Liberec
- Died: 2013, Prien am Chiemsee
- Notable works: Krabat, The Robber Hotzenplotz
- Occupations: writer, screenwriter, pedagogue, translator
- Awards: Bavarian Maximilian Order for Science and Art (2010)
- Languages translated: 55
- Burial site: Städtischer Friedhof Rosenheim
Questions readers ask
How many languages have his books been translated into?
His books have been translated into fifty-five languages.
What was his professional background before becoming a full-time writer?
He worked as a primary school teacher and subsequently as a school principal in Rosenheim between 1953 and 1970.
Achievements
- Bavarian Order of Merit — 1979
- Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany — 2000
- Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany — 1973
- Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany — 1993
- Andreas Gryphius Prize — 1987
- Notable work: Krabat
- Notable work: The Robber Hotzenplotz
- Genres: fairy tale
