Hermann Beckh, a Celebration: Items from Professor Beckh’s Literary Estate with Essays and Appreciations

The universal scholar Hermann Beckh (1875-1937), Orientalist and Christian priest, ’carried in his soul love for the Word, love for the stars, and love for music’. A long-overdue reassessment of his life’s work is presented here, marking the completed publication of his Collected Works in English. Featuring previously unknown items from his literary estate, appreciations by contemporary colleagues and results of current research, this celebration significantly contributes to our understanding of Beckh’s achievements.

Such a comprehensive ’Renaissance man’ as Professor Beckh is rare in an age of specialists. In his search for the eternal sources of Creation, he was inspired by his spiritual teacher, Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925). In anthroposophy, Beckh discovered confirmations of his search into the cultural origins of both East and West. Thus, he applied accurate scholarship and a new thinking in studies devoted to language, music, the origins of speech, the life of Buddha, the secrets of the Gospel, the Apocalypse, and the liturgy.

Previously unpublished surveys of Schiller’s plays, Wagner’s music dramas and research into the Zodiac are included, as well as surviving letters written by Beckh to Rudolf Steiner. Appreciations from ten colleagues - including Rudolf Meyer and Alfred Heidenrich - feature along with ten essays by Neil Franklin, Alan Stott, Katrin Binder and others, exploring what Beckh means in the 21st century. Celebration also pays tribute to Beckh’s biographer, Gundhild Kačer-Bock. The book comprises a ’first-and-final’ volume - a true commemoration of Beckh’s legacy.

HERMANN BECKH (1875-1937) studied Law and later Sanskrit, becoming Professor of Oriental Studies at the University of Berlin. A master of ancient and modern languages, he wrote extensively on religious and philosophical subjects, including Buddhism, Indology, Christianity, Alchemy and Music. In 1911 he heard a lecture by Rudolf Steiner and was inspired to join the Anthroposophical Society, where he soon became a valued co-worker. In 1922, he helped found The Christian Community, a movement for religious renewal. His many books have now been translated from the original German and published in English.