{"id":490,"date":"2024-04-03T23:39:54","date_gmt":"2024-04-03T20:39:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/hermann\/"},"modified":"2025-08-28T11:39:21","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T08:39:21","slug":"hermann","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/h\/hermann\/","title":{"rendered":"Karl August Hermann"},"content":{"rendered":"

Poems<\/span><\/strong><\/a>\"Karl<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karl August Hermann (23.\/11. IX 1851 \u2013 11. I 1909 \/ 29. XII 1908) was an Estonian writer, publicist, composer and linguist. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was born the son of a blacksmith at Otsa farm, V\u00f5hma village, P\u00f5ltsamaa parish. <\/span>He studied in Anikvere village school, from 1864\u20131868 at P\u00f5ltsamaa parish school and German elementary school. He worked as a teacher\u2019s aid in P\u00f5ltsamaa and from 1871\u20131874 as a teacher in St Petersburg. In 1875, he entered the Faculty of Theology of the University of Tartu. In 1878, he transferred to Leipzig University to study linguistics and in 1880, defended his PhD thesis Der einfache Wortstamm und die drei Lautstufen in der estnischen Sprache<\/em> on the vowel length of Estonian word stems. <\/span>
\u00a0<\/span>
He worked as an editor of Eesti Postimees<\/em> from 1882\u20131885 in Tartu. In 1886, he acquired Perno Postimees<\/em> and started publishing it under the name Postimees<\/em> in Tartu. In 1891, the paper became the first daily Estonian newspaper to which the writer Eduard Vilde also contributed. In 1896, he resigned from Postimees<\/em> and Jaan T\u00f5nisson became the new editor in chief. From 1885\u20131897, he published the music monthly Laulu ja m\u00e4ngu leht<\/em> and edited the magazine Rahva L\u00f5bu-leht<\/em> from 1898\u20131899. In 1906, he acquired the newspaper Valgus<\/em>, which he renamed H\u00fc\u00fcdja<\/em> and published until 1907. Hermann belonged to several national societies, including the Alexander School Committee and from 1890\u20131891, chaired the Society of Estonian Men of Letters (Eesti Kirjameeste Selts). <\/span>
\u00a0<\/span>
From 1889, Hermann worked as a lecturer of the Estonian Language at the University of Tartu. He published Eesti keele grammatika<\/em> (\u2018Estonian Grammar\u2019, 1884), Eesti keele Lause-\u00f5petus<\/em> (\u2018Estonian Syntax\u2019, 1896), a violin textbook (1893), a sheet music guide (1898), compiled an Estonian-Russian dictionary and a textbook on Russian, had an interest in the word etymology and historical connections of Finno-Ugric and other peoples. He published the work Sumeri-akkadlased<\/em> (\u2018The Akkadians of Sumer\u2019, 1896) where he hypothesized about the relations between the Estonians and ancient Sumerians, and a short overview of contemporary history in Suur Saksa-Prantsuse s\u00f5da 1870 ja 1871<\/em> (\u2019The Great Franco-Prussian War of 1870 and 1871\u2019, 1873). He began compiling the encyclopaedia Eesti \u00dcle\u00fcldise teaduse raamat ehk encyklop\u00e4dia konversationi-lexikon<\/em> (\u2019Comprehensive Book of Estonian Science or encyklop\u00e4dia konversationi-lexikon<\/em>\u2019), of which only the first volume was published in full (1900\u20131904, 1906). He also compiled Eesti kirjanduse ajalugu esimesest algusest meie ajani<\/em> (\u2018The History of Estonian Literature from Start to Contemporary Times\u2019, 1898), which despite being rudimental, proved a valuable dataset. <\/span>
\u00a0<\/span>
Hermann has composed approximately 300 choral songs (or according to some sources, even a thousand), several of which became very popular, for example Isamaa m\u00e4lestus<\/em> (\u2018Reminiscence of fatherland\u2019), Oh laula ja h\u00f5iska<\/em> (\u2018O sing and shout\u2019), Teretus<\/em> (\u2018Greeting\u2019), Kevade marss<\/em> (\u2018Spring march\u2019), Kungla rahvas<\/em> (\u2018Kungla people\u2019, lyrics by F. Kuhlbars), Mingem \u00fcles m\u00e4gedele<\/em> (\u2019Let\u2019s go up to the mountains\u2019; M. Veske), Munam\u00e4el<\/em> (\u2018On the Munam\u00e4gi\u2019; J. Kunder). He created both solo pieces and melodies for piano and violin. He composed Estonia\u2019s first attempt at opera, the pseudo-mythological singspiel Uku ja Vanemuine ehk Eesti jumalad ja rahvad<\/em> (\u2018Uku and Vanemuine or Estonian Gods and People\u2019, 1907, premiered 1908, arranged by A. Wirkhaus) that was very poorly received. He published choral literature, collected and arranged folk melodies and led the Song Festival. <\/span>
\u00a0<\/span>
Hermann translated and adapted plays (tragedy \u2018Accepting Death\u2019 by Theodor K\u00f6rner; comedy \u2018In the City and Country\u2019 by August Wilhelm Iffland); but his original work Oksjon!<\/em> (\u2018Auction!\u2019, 1874) was not a hit. His stories were mostly published in Eesti rahva Kasuline Kalender<\/em> (1875\u20131882) that he edited and in K. A. Hermanni Kasuline Rahvakalender<\/em> (1887\u20131903, 1907), some stories were also published in collections. His stories are simple, drawing their inspiration from village life. One of the most famous ones is the romantic Auulane ja \u00dclo<\/em> (\u2018Auulane and \u00dclo\u2019, 1887) set in old Estonia. He mainly wrote verse for choral songs and for this, also translated from Russian, German, Finnish, Swedish, Hungarian, Italian, French, English etc. K. A. Hermann\u2019i Salmikud<\/em> (\u2018K. A. Hermann\u2019s poems\u2019) were published in two editions (1881, 1892). His style is post-romantically emotional, general and merry.<\/span>
\u00a0<\/span>
Hermann passed away in Tartu and is buried in Tartu Raadi Cemetery. His memory is celebrated by monuments on his grave (by V. Mellik), in P\u00f5ltsamaa (A. Leius); a memorial stone is in V\u00f5hma Village and a memorial plaque in Tartu, Veski Street. Streets have been named after him in Tartu, P\u00f5ltsamaa and Tallinn.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A. M. (Translated by A. S.)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n


Selected bibliography
<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Poems<\/em><\/strong>
Mida warem, seda parem<\/strong>. Lastele armsaks ajawiiteks soowinud K.A. Hermann. Tartu: H. Laakmann, 1880, 16 lk. [K\u00e4ttesaadav: http:\/\/www.digar.ee\/arhiiv\/nlib-digar:100991<\/a>.]
Sina pead oma isa ja ema auustama, et sinu k\u00e4si h\u00e4sti k\u00e4ib ja sina kaua elad maa p\u00e4\u00e4l<\/strong>. Lastele armsaks ajaviiteks soovinud K. A. Hermann. Tartu: H. Laakmann, 1880, 16 lk. [K\u00e4ttesaadav: http:\/\/www.digar.ee\/arhiiv\/nlib-digar:100992<\/a>.]
K.A. Hermann\u2019i Salmikud<\/strong>. 1.-2. kimbukene. Tartu: Schnakenburg, 1881-1892, 66 lk; 186+6 lk. [K\u00e4ttesaadav: http:\/\/www.digar.ee\/arhiiv\/nlib-digar:100752<\/a>, http:\/\/www.digar.ee\/arhiiv\/nlib-digar:100753<\/a>.]<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Short stories<\/em><\/strong>
Imelikud juhtumised: \u00d5petlikud jutud<\/strong>. Kirjapannud [t\u00f5lkinud] K.A. Hermann. Tartu: [s.n.], 1871, 114 lk. [Sisu: \u2018\u00dcle s\u00f5rva\u2019, \u2018M\u00e4da-soos\u2019, \u2018Liva k\u00f5rb\u2019, \u2018Vana kaljukitse-k\u00fctt\u2019.]
Loe!. \u00d5petlikud loud ja jutud<\/strong>. Kirjutanud K. A. Hermann. Tartu: [s.n.], 1876, 200 lk. [K\u00e4ttesaadav: http:\/\/www.etera.ee\/s\/X1iJ8xb2xc<\/a>.]
Mida warem, seda parem<\/strong>. Lastele armsaks ajawiiteks soowinud K.A. Hermann. Tartu: H. Laakmann, 1880, 16 lk. [K\u00e4ttesaadav: http:\/\/www.digar.ee\/arhiiv\/nlib-digar:100991<\/a>.]
Sina pead oma isa ja ema auustama, et sinu k\u00e4si h\u00e4sti k\u00e4ib ja sina kaua elad maa p\u00e4\u00e4l<\/strong>. Lastele armsaks ajaviiteks soovinud K. A. Hermann. Tartu: H. Laakmann, 1880, 16 lk. [K\u00e4ttesaadav: http:\/\/www.digar.ee\/arhiiv\/nlib-digar:100992<\/a>.]
Auulane ja \u00dclo: Jutt Eesti muistsest ajast<\/strong>. Jutustanud K. A. Hermann. Tartu: K. A. Hermann, 1887, 32 lk.
Lapse m\u00e4lestus ja teised algup\u00e4ralised jutud<\/strong>. Jurjev: [s.n.], 1896, 68 lk.
Rikka ja waese pulmad: K\u00fclajutukene Eesti rahwa elust<\/strong>. Kirjutanud Dr. K. A. Hermann. Jurjev: Hermann, 1898, 48 lk.
Kullerkupukene: w\u00e4ike m\u00e4lestus \u00f5rnast lapsep\u00f5lwest<\/strong>. Tartus: Hermann, 1914, 21 lk.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plays, librettos<\/em><\/strong>
Oksjon!: Lugu waese rahwa elust<\/strong>: N\u00e4item\u00e4ng \u00fches j\u00e4rgus. Luulenud K. A. Hermann. Tartu: H. Laakmann, 1874, 40 lk. [K\u00e4ttesaadav: http:\/\/www.etera.ee\/s\/XOq4bVaF9F<\/a>.]
Eesti esimesi trag\u00f6\u00f6diaid<\/strong>. Koostanud K\u00fclli Laugaste. Tartu: Tartu \u00dclikooli Kirjastus, 1997, 213 lk. [Sisaldab K. A. Hermanni n\u00e4idendeid \u2018Leppimine surmas ehk kurb lugu kahe venna vahel\u2019 ja \u2018Oksjon!: Lugu vaese rahva elust\u2019.]
\u201cUku ja Wanemuine\u201d ehk Eesti jumalad ja rahwas<\/strong>: Lauleldus (oper) neljas waatuses: [s\u00f5nade osa] Loonud ja kokku seadnud Dr. K. A. Hermann. Tartu: M. Hermann, 1908, 30 lk. [K\u00e4ttesaadav: http:\/\/www.digar.ee\/arhiiv\/nlib-digar:14502<\/a>.]<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Non-fiction<\/em><\/strong>
Suur Saksa-Prantsuse s\u00f5da aastal 1870 ja 1871<\/strong>. Eestirahwale kirjapannud K. A. Hermann. Tartu: H. Laakmann, 1873, 124 lk. [K\u00e4ttesaadav: http:\/\/www.digar.ee\/arhiiv\/nlib-digar:101526<\/a>.]<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editions<\/em><\/strong>
Eesti-rahwa Kasuline Kalender<\/strong>, 1875-1882. Tartu: H. Laakmann, 1874-1881.
Uus Eesti rahwa Kasuline Kalender<\/strong>, 1883-1886. Tartu: W. Just, 1882-1885.
K. A. Hermann\u2019i Kasuline Rahwa-Kalender<\/strong>, 1887-1901. Tartu: K. A. Hermann, 1886-1900.
K. A. Hermann\u2019i Kasuline Kalender<\/strong>, 1902-1907. Jurjev: Hermann, 1901-1906. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Poems \u00a0 Karl August Hermann (23.\/11. IX 1851 \u2013 11. I 1909 \/ 29. XII 1908) was an Estonian writer, publicist, composer and linguist. He was born the son of a blacksmith at Otsa farm, V\u00f5hma village, P\u00f5ltsamaa parish. He …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":43,"featured_media":0,"parent":599,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-490","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/490","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/43"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=490"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/490\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7561,"href":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/490\/revisions\/7561"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/599"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sisu.ut.ee\/ewod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=490"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}