Conrad von Bolanden
German prelate and novelist
Conrad von Bolanden (9 August 1828 – 30 May 1920), born Joseph Eduard Konrad Bischoff, was a German prelate and novelist in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Speyer, who wrote A Wedding Trip, Queen Bertha and Historical Tales of Frederick II.[1]
Life
A German novelist, son of a rich merchant, b. 9 August 1828, at Niedergailbach, a village of the Palatinate, in that time a part of Bavaria. Now Niedergailbach belongs to the Saarland, although the main portion of the Palatinate (region) became a part of the neighbour-state Rheinland-Pfalz. Bolanden attended the Latin school at Blieskastel, the seminary at Speyer, and in 1849 entered the University of Munich to study theology.[1]
Ordained priest in Speyer 1852 he was appointed assistant pastor at Speyer Cathedral. There he became the first priest of the diocese to receive a driver's license. Two years later he became pastor at Kirchheimbolanden. The following year he was transferred to Börrstadt and three years later to Berghausen [de]. During this time he wrote his first four works. From the castle and village of Bolanden (between Kirchheim-Bolanden and Börrstadt) he chose his pen name "Conrad von Bolanden".[1] In 1870 the priest resigned his parish to devote himself exclusively to literary work, and lived in strict retirement at Speyer.
Pope Pius IX granted Bolanden the title of a Papal Chamberlain. In his birth-village of Niedergailbach a street was named in his honour in 1993.
Works
Bolanden published more than 60 books, mostly novels. These include:
- A Wedding Trip (about Martin Luther)
- Queen Bertha
- Historical Tales of Frederick II
- Gustav Adolf
- Canossa
- Franz von Sickingen
- Trowel or Cross
- Night of St. Bartholomew
- Savonarola
- Crusades
- Wambold
- Charlemagne
- Otto the Great
- Pillar of Truth
The 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia describes his novels, written in a simple style for a popular audience, as "not all of equal worth", but praises their conception, Bolanden's defense of Catholic positions, and his frequent quotations from original sources.[1]
Bolanden's works were widely read and have been translated into English and other European languages.[1] At one time his publications were prohibited in the Kingdom of Prussia.
References
- ^ a b c d e
One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Dieringer, Barnabas (1907). "Conrad von Bolanden". In Herbermann, Charles (ed.). Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 2. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
External links
- Works by Conrad von Bolanden at Project Gutenberg
- Works by or about Conrad von Bolanden at Internet Archive
- German Wikipedia article with copious illustrations
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