How about we delve into the story of a man who revolutionized public libraries? This is the story of Walter Hofmann. Here in Dresden, in 1906, Walter Hofmann established the Freie Öffentliche Bibliothek Dresden-Plauen. This translates to the Free Public Library of Dresden-Plauen. Hofmann wasn’t just any librarian. He was a pioneer.
Walter Hofmann was born in Dresden on March 24, 1879. His father was an engraver named Emil Hofmann. Walter’s early life in Dresden shaped his future path. He grew up with three sisters in Schössergasse. Later, the family moved to Wilsdruffer Straße and then Breite Straße.
Young Walter faced hardships early on. He had a severe case of diphtheria. He struggled in school. Math was his only subject of interest. This led to serious conflicts with his parents. His mother passed away from diabetes when he was just ten years old. Hofmann described his relationship with his stepmother as filled with hatred. Despite these challenges, he completed eight years of schooling.
Following his father’s wishes, Walter became an engraver. He trained in his father’s workshop starting in 1893. He attended the technical and advanced training school of the General Craftsmen’s Association of Dresden. Albert Starke taught him drawing. Hofmann showed great talent.
Hofmann initially wanted to study at the Dresden Art Academy. However, his father wanted him to attend the School of Arts and Crafts. Eventually, they sought advice from art professor Leon Pohle. Pohle recommended the School of Arts and Crafts. There, Hofmann studied under Woldemar Müller. He became friends with Walter Ufer. Hofmann and Ufer formed an artistic group.
Walter Hofmann felt overwhelmed at the school. He struggled with absences. His attempts at writing failed. After visiting the Großen Garten, he attempted suicide. He was treated at the Dresden-Friedrichstadt Hospital.
After leaving the art school, he returned to his father’s workshop. In 1897, he secured an unpaid internship with Ewald Menzel. Menzel was a Berlin-based master engraver. Hofmann began writing poems. He became interested in cultural matters. He hoped to become a writer. Engraving was just a temporary job.
After a disagreement with his father, Walter couldn’t work in the family workshop. His father sent him to work for an engraver in Frankfurt am Main. Soon after, he moved to Leipzig to work for Max Brauer. In Leipzig, he befriended Hartwig Jeß.
Walter Hofmann joined the engravers’ union. He wrote for the union’s journal. He spent time in social democratic circles. He participated as a poet at a literary evening in Berlin in 1899.
Returning to Dresden in 1899, he rejoined his father’s workshop. He focused on the business side. He contacted Leonhard Lier and Johannes Reichert. Reichert set some of Hofmann’s poems to music. He introduced Hofmann to artists like Richard Kaden. Walter met painter Richard Pietzschmann through Walter Ufer. He befriended painter Otto Fischer. Despite some success, Hofmann gave up poetry in 1901. In 1902, he quit engraving.
From 1901, Hofmann worked as an art critic. He wrote for the Sächsische Arbeiterzeitung and the Dresdner Zeitung. He advocated for workers’ access to art. He struggled with the demands of journalism. He briefly worked on an art encyclopedia. He started his own engraving workshop. After a dispute, he left a job at the Dresdner Journal. He returned to writing for newspapers.
In 1905, Walter Hofmann married Hanna Engau. The marriage ended in 1913. Peter Behrens offered him a job at the Düsseldorf School of Arts and Crafts in 1904. Hofmann declined the offer.
Through friends, Hofmann met Ida Bienert. She offered him the leadership of a modern public library. From 1904 to 1906, he built the Freie Öffentliche Bibliothek Dresden-Plauen. He learned librarianship on his own. He managed the library with Elise Bosse. In 1913, he became director of the Leipzig book halls. He opened the first municipal book hall.
Walter Hofmann’s work made a difference. He left a lasting impact on public libraries. He understood the power of books and reading. He wanted to bring literature to everyone.