Walter Benjamin

Date of Birth: July 15, 1892

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: September 26, 1940

Biography

Walter Benjamin was a German-Jewish philosopher, cultural critic, and essayist, born in Berlin on July 15, 1892. He is renowned for his eclectic and profound contributions to literary theory, aesthetics, and historical materialism. Benjamin’s works, such as “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction” and “Theses on the Philosophy of History,” have left an indelible mark on various fields, including literature, media studies, and critical theory. Benjamin’s early education took place in Berlin, where he was influenced by the youth movement known as the Wandervogel. He later studied philosophy in Freiburg and Berlin, eventually completing his doctoral thesis on the concept of art criticism in German Romanticism. Despite his intellectual prowess, Benjamin struggled to secure a stable academic position. His association with the Frankfurt School and his profound friendship with Theodor Adorno marked his intellectual journey. His works often reflected a deep concern with the socio-political conditions of his time, particularly the rise of fascism. In 1940, as the threat of Nazi persecution loomed large, Benjamin attempted to escape from Nazi-occupied France to Spain. Tragically, he committed suicide on September 26, 1940, in Portbou, Spain, under the belief that his escape had been thwarted. His legacy continues to influence contemporary thought, with his writings remaining a touchstone for scholars across the humanities.

5 Interesting Facts about Walter Benjamin

1. Walter Benjamin was an avid collector of books and had an extensive personal library.

2. He was deeply influenced by the works of Karl Marx, Charles Baudelaire, and Marcel Proust.

3. Benjamin’s concept of the “aura” in art has become a foundational idea in media theory.

4. He was friends with playwright Bertolt Brecht and shared a mutual influence on each other’s work.

5. Benjamin’s only son, Stefan, was born in 1918 and later became a prominent mathematician.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Walter Benjamin

1. “History is written by the victors.”

2. “The only way of knowing a person is to love them without hope.”

3. “There is no document of civilization which is not at the same time a document of barbarism.”

4. “To articulate the past historically does not mean to recognize it ‘the way it really was.’”

5. “The tradition of the oppressed teaches us that the ‘state of emergency’ in which we live is not the exception but the rule.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Walter Benjamin did not achieve significant financial wealth during his lifetime. His net worth was modest, and he faced financial difficulties, particularly during his later years in exile.