Date of Birth: November 9, 1892
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
Date of Death: October 13, 1957
Biography
Erich Auerbach was a distinguished philologist and literary critic, best known for his seminal work “Mimesis: The Representation of Reality in Western Literature.” Born in Berlin, Germany, Auerbach’s academic journey led him through various European institutions, where he developed a keen interest in Romance languages and literatures. His career was profoundly affected by the rise of Nazism, which compelled him to leave Germany and take refuge in Istanbul, Turkey. It was there that he wrote “Mimesis,” a comparative study of the representation of reality in Western literature from Homer to Virginia Woolf. Post-World War II, Auerbach relocated to the United States, where he continued his academic career at institutions like Princeton University and Yale University. His scholarly work has left a lasting impact on literary criticism and comparative literature.
5 Interesting Facts about Erich Auerbach
1. Erich Auerbach wrote “Mimesis” during his exile in Istanbul, under challenging conditions without access to a comprehensive library.
2. His work “Mimesis” is considered one of the most significant contributions to the field of literary criticism and is still widely studied today.
3. Auerbach’s scholarly interests were not limited to literature; he also made significant contributions to the study of languages, particularly Romance languages.
4. Despite being forced to flee Germany due to his Jewish heritage, Auerbach maintained a deep connection to European culture and intellectual traditions.
5. He was a contemporary and correspondent of other notable intellectuals such as Leo Spitzer and Walter Benjamin.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Erich Auerbach
1. “To write history is so difficult that most historians are forced to make concessions to the technique of legende.”
2. “The tragic cannot be the declared purpose of an action; it must happen by chance, as if it were by the way.”
3. “Philology always has its roots in the love of the word.”
4. “In a world where everything is subject to the flux of becoming, nothing is more difficult than to live in the present.”
5. “Realism is more than an artistic method; it is a way of regarding life.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Erich Auerbach’s highest net worth is not documented, as his contributions were primarily academic rather than financial.
Children
Erich Auerbach had one son, Clemens Auerbach.
Relevant Links
1. [Erich Auerbach – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erich_Auerbach
2. [Erich Auerbach and ‘Mimesis’](https://www.thoughtco.com/erich-auerbach-and-mimesis-721527
4. [Erich Auerbach: A Critical Biography](https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7312/auer17694