Georg Wilhelm Heinrich Häring, known by the pseudonym Willibald Alexis, emerged as a prominent figure in nineteenth-century German literature by pioneering patriotic-historical romance. His literary career moved from early hexameter idylls to influential historical novels, bridging the gap between the influence of Sir Walter Scott and the specific historical focus of the Brandenburg region.
Early Life and Legal Training
Born in 1798 in Wrocław, Silesia, Häring was the son of a war department official of French descent. He attended the Werdersche Gymnasium in Berlin before serving as a volunteer during the 1815 military campaign, which included the siege of Ardenne fortresses. Following his service, he studied law at the University of Breslau and the University of Berlin. Although he entered the legal profession, he eventually shifted his focus toward writing.
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Alexis launched his literary career with the hexameter poem Die Treibjagd in 1820. He achieved immediate public recognition with the 1823 publication of Walladmor, marketed as a translation of a Walter Scott novel, a strategy he repeated with Schloss Avalon in 1827. In 1832, his novel Cabanis marked a shift toward patriotic-historical themes set during the reign of Frederick the Great. This direction earned him the nickname of the Walter Scott of the Mark. His later works, including Der Roland von Berlin, published in 1840, explored various epochs of Brandenburg history, with the latter serving as the inspiration for an opera by Ruggero Leoncavallo.
Editorial Work and Criminology
Beyond his novels, Alexis held significant roles in the publishing industry. Between 1827 and 1835, he edited the Berliner Konversationsblatt, receiving support from Friedrich Christoph Forster for the first two years of his tenure. In 1842, he collaborated with Julius Eduard Hitzig to begin publishing Der neue Pitaval, a collection of international criminal cases. This series spanned 36 volumes between 1842 and 1865, establishing his contribution to the field of criminology.
Later Years
Alexis was awarded a doctorate of philosophy from the University of Halle in 1828. During the 1830s, works such as Das Haus Dusterweg and Zwölf Nächte suggested an affiliation with the Young Germany movement. By 1852, experiencing declining health, he retired to Arnstadt in Thuringia. He remained there until his death in 1871, when he was buried in the region.
Fast facts
- Born: 1798, Wrocław
- Died: 1871, Arnstadt
- Pseudonym: Willibald Alexis
- Academic Honors: Doctor of Philosophy, University of Halle (1828)
- Notable Series: Der neue Pitaval
- Literary Movement: Young Germany
- Education: University of Wrocław; Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- Burial Place: Thuringia
Questions readers ask
What was the inspiration for the name Walter Scott of the Mark?
The moniker was given to Alexis due to his successful historical novels focusing on the history of Brandenburg, particularly starting with the 1832 publication Cabanis.
What was Der neue Pitaval?
It was a collection of criminal anecdotes from various nations and time periods, edited by Alexis and Julius Eduard Hitzig starting in 1842.
