Georg von Waitz

Among the many outstanding German historians of the 19th century was Georg von Waitz, a pupil of the great Rancke. Between them, pupil and master worked out the methods used in modern historical research and during their lifetimes uncovered many a hidden treasure.

Waitz and Rancke both kept busy at their work right to the end. Leopold von Rancke was 91 years old when he died, Waitz 73. Georg Waitz died on May 24, 1886, the day after his teacher had passed away.

Georg Waitz was born in Flensburg on October 9, 1813. After he had completed his university studies, he was appointed a docent at the University of Kiel. In 1849 he became a professor at Goettingen, and later in Berlin. Here he was chosen to lead a central committee involved with the publication of the well known resource material 'Monumenta Germaniae historica', a work that had been started by the historians Lorenz von Stein (1815-90) and Georg Heinrich Pertz (1795-1876). This work contains all known sources concerning the early history of Germany, in the original languages as well as translations. Pertz was also the author of an excellent treatise about the Merovingians, and Waitz had worked with Pertz for many years before he took over the leadership of the project in 1874.

While Rancke's productivity dealt with practically every aspect of early European history, Waitz specialized in the aspects of history dealing with mediaeval law. He followed strictly the example set by his teacher, writing in a totally objective and impartial manner.

Waitz' main work is 'The History of the German Constitution'. This was not meant for public consumption, but it offers a wealth of material for historians and for the legal profession. He wrote a great many other books, including 'The History of Schleswig-Holstein', 'Luebeck under Juergen Wollenweber and the European Politics' and 'The Fundamentals of Politics'.

Georg Waitz also participated eagerly in the political life of his own times. In 1846, he represented the University of Kiel on the diet of the estates of the realm in Schleswig, and two years later, when revolutions broke out throughout Europe, he became a member of the provisorial government in Rendsburg. He later became a member of the German National Assembly in Berlin and was well known here for his eloquence.

- Rudy Langmann