Die Beziehungen des Aufklärungsphilosophen Michael Hißmann zu seiner siebenbürgischen Heimat
The Relations of the Enlightenment Philosopher Michael Hißmann with his Transylvanian Homeland

Summary/Abstract: Hißmann, son of a baker from Sibiu, born in 1752, was presented hitherto as a philosopher who, although of Transylvanian origin, was completely alienated from his homeland. The author proves in this study that Hißmann, a university professor in Göttingen, never broke off relations with his homeland and repeatedly tried to return to Transylvania, but was prevented from doing so by Saxon clerical circles. The bishop of the Evangelical Church even forbade the entry of his writings into Transylvania. At Gottingen he gave lectures - unpaid - at the university. Although he suffers from tuberculosis, he has to work from dawn till late at night, writing reviews and translations, poorly paid by publishers. Thus, a scientist's hard work and motivation is wasted. Finally, he is appointed to the post of a professor of philosophy at the university in Pest. Hißmann is happy to be able to come closer to his beloved homeland, Transylvania. But the appointment comes too late, as Hißmann dies of tuberculosis at the age of 33.

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