`
About the Grimm Brothers
Jacob Grimm (1785-1863)
Jacob, the older of the two Grimm brothers, was born in Hanau, Germany, on January 4, 1785 to Philipp Wilhelm Grimm and Dorothea Zimmer Grimm, and grew up the eldest of six children. Jacob and his younger brother, Wilhelm began their education by attending public school, a yet unpopular tradition, rather than being homeschooled. After their primary education was finished, the two boys went to university at the University of Marburg, where they studied the law. In addition to his law degree, Jacob received honorary doctorates from the University of Marburg, Berlin University, and Berslau University. Jacob was employed in several positions throughout his life, including: secretariat of the War Office, librarian for King Jérôme Bonaparte's private library, and chair of archaeology and librarianship at the University of Göttingen in Hanover. All of this was in addition to being very active in German politics, and compiling and creating fairy tales and linguistic manuals with his brother, Wilhelm. The two men lived and worked together their entire lives, even after Wilhelm met and married Dorothea Wild. Jacob died on September 20, 1863.
Holtze, Elizabeth L., “Grimm Brothers,” in Europe 1789-1914: Encyclopedia of the Age of Industry and Empire. Edited by John Merriman and Jay Winter. 1023-1025. Detroit: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2006.
Holtze, Elizabeth L., “Grimm Brothers,” in Europe 1789-1914: Encyclopedia of the Age of Industry and Empire. Edited by John Merriman and Jay Winter. 1023-1025. Detroit: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2006.
Wilhelm Grimm (1786-1859)
Wilhelm Grimm was born in Hanau, Germany on born February 24 1786. After receiving a public education, Wilhelm followed in his brother’s footsteps and began studying at the University of Marburg in 1803 where he focused his interests on medieval German folklore and law. In 1814, Wilhelm began working at the Kassel library, after the publication of the first volume of Kinder- und Hausmärchen in 1812, with the second volume published in 1815. In 1816, Wilhelm’s elder brother Jacob began working at the library and the two brothers published Duetsche Sagen (German Legends) together. In 1825, Wilhelm married Dorchen Wild and they had three children together. The brothers were devoted to creating a national, German identity and supported a democratic liberal reform movement in Germany. The brothers lectured and wrote on many subjects, including religion, philosophy, linguistics, literature, jurisprudence, and many more. In addition the brothers compiled a multi-volume, authoritative German dictionary that was first published in 1954, but was not ultimately completed until 1961. Wilhelm died on December 16 1859.
“Jacob Grimm (1785-1863) and Wilhelm Grimm (1786-1859),” Children’s Literature Review. 112 (2006):21-97.
“Jacob Grimm (1785-1863) and Wilhelm Grimm (1786-1859),” Children’s Literature Review. 112 (2006):21-97.
Resources about both Grimm Brothers
Books
Other Print Media
Jacob Grimm (1785-1863) and Wilhelm Grimm (1786-1859)
This is a journal article from Children’s Literature Review that contains biographical information on the Grimm brothers, descriptions and bibliography of major works by the brothers, and a summary of the critical reception of the tales. The article also includes essays written by the Grimm brothers, with commentary. This is a great resource for teachers looking for more information on the Grimm brothers in order to enhance their teaching.
“Jacob Grimm (1785-1863) and Wilhelm Grimm (1786-1859),” Children’s Literature Review. 112 (2006):21-97. |