Gross, Fritz: unpublished writings

Scope and Content

Fritz Gross collection of unpublished writings, [1930-1949] comprises original typescript writings notably including numerous short dramas notably including Piter , 1927 (620/26) a drama about Russia in 1917; anthologies of poetry notably including Der Regenbogen 1946 (620/56), a collection of German poems; essays on a wide variety of subjects including Deutsche 1930s-1940s (620/87) and biographical sketches of famous people.

Administrative / Biographical History

Fritz Gross was born in Vienna in 1897, the son of a Jewish dealer in precious stones, Herman Gross; fought in World War One, where he lost some of his closest friends, after which he moved to Germany where he worked at a variety of jobs in different places; joined the German Communist Party (KPD)in 1919 and was also an activist in various other left wing groups such as the 'Internationale Arbeiter-Hilfe', of which he was the general secretary in 1923.

He married Babette Th?ring, also an activist, in 1920 and they had a son in 1923; in 1929, after their separation he moved to Hamburg, and stayed in the house of Magda Hoppstock-Huth; after Adolf Hitler came to power he moved to England, eventually setting up home in Regent Square, London, where he built up a lending library for other refugees and the house became a meeting place. He spent much of his time working in the British Library where he produced most of his writing, without being able to publish much; died 1946.

Arrangement

Original alphabetical arrangement retained.

Access Information

Open

Acquisition Information

Peter Gross

Other Finding Aids

Description exists to this archive on the Wiener Library's online catalogue www.wienerlibrary.co.uk

Conditions Governing Use

Copies can be made for personal use. Permission must be sought for publication.

Bibliography

Brinson, Charmian and Malet, Marian, "Fritz Gross: An Exile in England", in German Life and Letters 49:3 July 1996, Blackwell