John Knittel
Encyclopedia
John Knittel, originally Hermann Emanuel Knittel (March 24, 1891 in Dharwar, India
- April 26, 1970 in Maienfeld
, Graubünden
) was a Swiss
writer.
missionary, Hermann Wilhelm Knittel, who was in the service of the Baseler Mission, along with his wife Ana née Schultze, was from the South Tyrol
. Knittel was born in India
, where his parents were engaged in missionary work. In 1895, the Knittels traveled with their children from India and returned to Switzerland and settled in Basel. John Knittel enrolled at the Gymnasium am Münsterplatz and was a schoolmate of Carl Jacob Burckhardt
. He left the school and search for a vocational school in which to study and eventually became an apprentice in a cotton textile factory owned by an uncle.
and worked as a bank teller for Crédit Lyonnais
. He then as a projectionist in some theaters. In London, he met his future wife Frances White Mac Bridger , whom he married in 1915 against the will of her parents. This marriage produced three children.
A meeting with the English writer Robert Smythe Hichens
in 1917 was the start of his life as a writer. Hichens recognized Knittel's talent and urged him to write in English. In 1919, his first novel appeared The Travels of Aaron West, which became a commercial success. In England, he became a member of P.E.N. Club.
, Algeria
, Tunisia
. In Egypt, he was impressed by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and supported a Schweizer Project dedicated to improving the life of poor fellaheen. The uncertain world political situation compelled the Knittels to return to Europe. In 1938 they began to live in the Haus Römersteig in Weinbergen von Maienfeld in Graubünden.
, he sought Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels
and with an introduction by Hans Carossa
became a member of the Europäische Schriftsteller-Vereinigung (European Writers Union). In 1943 several friends of his daughter were sentenced to death for their participation in White Rose
(Weiße Rose) - Willi Graf
, Alexander Schmorell
and Kurt Huber
. He was denounced by his Swiss colleagues as a "Friend of the Nazis" (Nazifreund) and was expelled from the Schweizer Schriftsteller Verband (SSV).
Knittel died in his home in Maienfeld on April 26, 1970 at the age of 79
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
- April 26, 1970 in Maienfeld
Maienfeld
Maienfeld is a municipality in the district of Landquart in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. It is a tourist destination in the Alps, both because of the local wine and because it was the setting of the story Heidi.- History :...
, Graubünden
Graubünden
Graubünden or Grisons is the largest and easternmost canton of Switzerland. The canton shares borders with the cantons of Ticino, Uri, Glarus and St. Gallen and international borders with Italy, Austria and Liechtenstein...
) was a Swiss
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
writer.
Life
John Knittel was the son of a WürttembergWürttemberg
Württemberg , formerly known as Wirtemberg or Wurtemberg, is an area and a former state in southwestern Germany, including parts of the regions Swabia and Franconia....
missionary, Hermann Wilhelm Knittel, who was in the service of the Baseler Mission, along with his wife Ana née Schultze, was from the South Tyrol
South Tyrol
South Tyrol , also known by its Italian name Alto Adige, is an autonomous province in northern Italy. It is one of the two autonomous provinces that make up the autonomous region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. The province has an area of and a total population of more than 500,000 inhabitants...
. Knittel was born in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, where his parents were engaged in missionary work. In 1895, the Knittels traveled with their children from India and returned to Switzerland and settled in Basel. John Knittel enrolled at the Gymnasium am Münsterplatz and was a schoolmate of Carl Jacob Burckhardt
Carl Jacob Burckhardt
Carl Jacob Burckhardt was a Swiss diplomat and historian. His career alternated between periods of academic historical research and diplomatic postings; the most prominent of the latter were League of Nations High Commissioner for the Free City of Danzig and President of the International...
. He left the school and search for a vocational school in which to study and eventually became an apprentice in a cotton textile factory owned by an uncle.
Writing career
In 1908 he moved to LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and worked as a bank teller for Crédit Lyonnais
Crédit Lyonnais
Crédit Lyonnais is a historic French bank. In the early 1990s it was the largest French bank, majority state-owned at that point. Crédit Lyonnais was the subject of poor management during that period which almost led to its bankruptcy in 1993...
. He then as a projectionist in some theaters. In London, he met his future wife Frances White Mac Bridger , whom he married in 1915 against the will of her parents. This marriage produced three children.
A meeting with the English writer Robert Smythe Hichens
Robert Smythe Hichens
Robert Smythe Hichens was an English journalist, novelist, music lyricist, short story writer, music critic and collaborated on successful plays. He is best remembered as a satirist of the "Naughty Nineties".-Biography:...
in 1917 was the start of his life as a writer. Hichens recognized Knittel's talent and urged him to write in English. In 1919, his first novel appeared The Travels of Aaron West, which became a commercial success. In England, he became a member of P.E.N. Club.
Return to Switzerland and Foreign Travels
In 1921, Knittel settled in Switzerland with his wife, children and Hichens near Genfersee. In the following years, he took his family on his wide travels: EgyptEgypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
, Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
. In Egypt, he was impressed by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and supported a Schweizer Project dedicated to improving the life of poor fellaheen. The uncertain world political situation compelled the Knittels to return to Europe. In 1938 they began to live in the Haus Römersteig in Weinbergen von Maienfeld in Graubünden.
World War II and Its Results
After the beginning of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he sought Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels
Joseph Goebbels
Paul Joseph Goebbels was a German politician and Reich Minister of Propaganda in Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945. As one of Adolf Hitler's closest associates and most devout followers, he was known for his zealous oratory and anti-Semitism...
and with an introduction by Hans Carossa
Hans Carossa
Hans Carossa was a German novelist and poet, known mostly for his autobiographical novels, and his innere Emigration during the Nazi era....
became a member of the Europäische Schriftsteller-Vereinigung (European Writers Union). In 1943 several friends of his daughter were sentenced to death for their participation in White Rose
White Rose
The White Rose was a non-violent/intellectual resistance group in Nazi Germany, consisting of students from the University of Munich and their philosophy professor...
(Weiße Rose) - Willi Graf
Willi Graf
Willi Graf was a member of the White Rose resistance group in Nazi Germany....
, Alexander Schmorell
Alexander Schmorell
Alexander Schmorell was one of five Munich University students who formed a resistance group known as White Rose which was active against Germany's Nazi regime from June 1942 to February 1943.-Early life:Schmorell's father, a medical doctor, was a German born and raised in Russia...
and Kurt Huber
Kurt Huber
Kurt Huber was a member of the White Rose group, which carried out resistance against Nazi Germany.-Early life:...
. He was denounced by his Swiss colleagues as a "Friend of the Nazis" (Nazifreund) and was expelled from the Schweizer Schriftsteller Verband (SSV).
Knittel died in his home in Maienfeld on April 26, 1970 at the age of 79
Works
All works were written in English and the German translations were sold by his Swiss publisher without any indication as to the translators.Novels and Stories
- The Travels of Aaron West, Novel, 1919 (dt. Die Reisen des Aaron West / Kapitän West, 1922)
- A Traveller in the night, Novel, 1924 (dt. Der Weg durch die Nacht, 1926)
- Into the abyss, Roman, 1927 (dt. Thérèse Etienne, 1927)
- Nile Gold, Novel, 1929 (dt. Der blaue Basalt, 1929)
- Midnight People, Novel, 1930 (dt. Abd-el-Kader, 1930)
- Cyprus Wine, 1933 (no German translation)
- The Commander, Novel, 1933 (dt. Der Commandant, 1933)
- Via Mala, Novel, 1934 (dt. Via Mala, 1934)
- Dr. Ibrahim, Novel, 1935 (dt. El Hakim, 1936)
- The asp and other stories, Stories, 1936 (dt. Die Aspis-Schlange und andere Erzählungen, 1942)
- Power for sale, Novel, 1939 (dt. Amadeus, 1939; Fortsetzung von Thérèse Etienne, in der er für das AtlantropaAtlantropaAtlantropa, also referred to as Panropa, was a gigantic engineering and colonization project devised by the German architect Herman Sörgel in the 1920s and promulgated by him until his death in 1952...
-Projekt wirbt) - Terra Magna, Novel, 1948
- Jean-Michel, Novel, 1953
- Arietta, Novel, 1957 (dt. Arietta. Marokkanische Episode, 1959)
Theater
- The Torch, drama, 1922
- High Finance, drama, 1934
- Protektorat. A Folkdrama from our ancient times, 1935 (Dramatizatin of Abd-el-Kader)
- Via Mala, drama, 1937
- Sokrates, drama, 1941
- La Rochelle, drama, 1943/44
- Thérèse Etienne, drama, 1950
Filmography
- Het verborgen leven (Netherlands, United Kingdom, 1920), directed by Maurits BingerMaurits BingerMaurits Binger was a Dutch film director, producer and screenwriter of the silent era. He directed 39 films between 1913 and 1922 and is considered one of the pioneers of fictional films in the Netherlands...
and B.E. Doxat-Pratt - Der Weg durch die Nacht (Germany, 1929), directed by Robert Dinesen, mit Margita Alfvén, Friedrich Ettel u.a.
- Se abre el abismo (Argentina, 1944), directed by Pierre ChenalPierre ChenalPierre Chenal was a French director and screenwriter who flourished in the 1930s, and was best known for film noir thrillers such as the 1937 film L’Alibi, where he worked with Erich von Stroheim and Louis Jouvet. In 1939 he made Le Dernier Tournant, the first of many film treatments of James M...
, with Pablo Acciardi u.a. - Via Mala (Germany, 1944/48), directed by Josef von BákyJosef von BakyJosef von Báky was a Hungarian filmmaker. He was also known as Josef v. Baky and József Baky. He was born in the town of Zombor in the Kingdom of Hungary in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, since 1920 Sombor in Yugoslavia., . He worked as an assistant to Geza von Bolvary.He worked as director or...
, mit Karin HardtKarin Hardt-Selected filmography:* Vater geht auf Reisen * Daphne and the Diplomat * Madonna in Ketten * Town Without Pity -External links:...
, Carl WeryCarl WeryCarl Sebastian Martin Wery was a German actor.- Filmography :* 1933: Keinen Tag ohne Dich* 1935: Königswalzer...
, Albert Florath, Hilde KörberHilde KörberHilde Körber was a German film actress. She appeared in 53 films between 1930 and 1964.She was born in Vienna, Austria and died in Berlin, Germany.-Selected filmography:* The Great King * Morituri...
u.a. - El Hakim (Germany, 1957), directed by Rolf ThieleRolf ThieleRolf Thiele was a German film director, producer and screenwriter. He directed 42 films between 1951 and 1977. He was born in Budweis, then in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. His 1958 film Eva was entered into the 1959 Cannes Film Festival...
, with O. W. FischerO. W. FischerOtto Wilhelm Fischer was an Austrian actor. A leading man of German cinema, he began his career with Max Reinhardt's stage company....
, Michael AndeMichael AndeMichael Ande is a German actor best known for his role as Gerd Heymann in the West German crime-drama television series Der Alte.- Selected filmography :* Marianne, meine Jugendliebe...
, Nadja TillerNadja TillerNadja Tiller is an Austrian actress. She was one of the most popular German actresses of the 1950s and 1960s.She won the Miss Austria competition in 1949, a national beauty pageant for unmarried women in Austria. She had her major film debut in 1952 in 'Märchen vom Glück .In 1955, she acted...
, Charles RégnierCharles RégnierCharles Régnier was a German film actor. He appeared in over 135 films between 1949 and 2000.He was born in Freiburg, Germany and died in Bad Wiessee, Germany.-Selected filmography:* The Last Illusion...
u.a. - Thérèse Etienne (France, 1958) directed by Denys de La PatellièreDenys de La PatellièreDenys de La Patellière is a French film director and scriptwriter.He was born in Nantes.-Filmography as director:* 1955 : Les Aristocrates with Pierre Fresnay...
, with James Robertson JusticeJames Robertson JusticeJames Robertson Justice was a popular British character actor in British films of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.-Biography:...
, Françoise ArnoulFrançoise ArnoulFrançoise Arnoul is a French actress, who achieved popularity with her cute and sexy charm, especially during the 1950s.Born Françoise Annette Marie Mathilde Gautsch in Constantine, France , as the daughter of stage actress Janine Henry and artillery general Charles Gautsch, she has two brothers...
u.a. - Via Mala (Germany, 1961), directed by Paul MayPaul MayPaul May was a German film director. He directed 40 films between 1935 and 1972.He was born in Munich, Germany and died in Taufkirchen, Germany.-External links:...
, with Gert FröbeGert FröbeKarl Gerhart Fröbe, better known as Gert Fröbe was a German actor who starred in many films, including the James Bond film Goldfinger as Auric Goldfinger, The Threepenny Opera as Peachum, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as Baron Bomburst, and in Der Räuber Hotzenplotz as Hotzenplotz.-Life:Born in...
, Christine KaufmannChristine KaufmannChristine Maria Kaufmann is a German actress. In 1961 she won the Golden Globe Award for New Star Of The Year - Actress, the only German to be so honoured....
, Christian WolffChristian Wolff (actor)Christian Wolff is a German film actor. He has appeared in 70 films since 1957.-Selected filmography:* Court Martial * Derrick - Season 4, Episode 08: "Via Bangkok"...
u.a. - Via Mala (Germany-TV 1985), directed by Tom Toelle, with Mario AdorfMario AdorfMario Adorf is a German film and stage actor, best known for his lead role in the 1978 film The Tin Drum.-Biography:...
, Maruschka DetmersMaruschka DetmersMaruschka Detmers is a Dutch actress. She moved to France as a teenager, where she captured the attention of director Jean-Luc Godard. In 1983, she made her dramatic debut under Godard's direction in Prénom Carmen...
, Sissy HöffererSissy HöffererSissy Höfferer is an Austrian television actress.She had engagements at numerous theater companies such as the Residenztheater Munich, the Deutsches Schauspielhaus Hamburg and the Volkstheater Munich after completing her studies at the Max-Reinhardt-Seminar in Vienna...
u.a.