The Life of Carl Ritter | Book Summary
Thales lived around 600 B.C. and explained natural events without using extraordinary ideas, making him a pioneer. Because of him, we understand our world better today. Carl Ritter is like Thales in many ways; both are pioneers. They both love science and the endless universe, and they are curious and determined. Carl Ritter’s life will show us how scientists see things, what they experience, and how they feel. Can they seem like regular people?
“The Life of Carl Ritter” is divided into seven sections, separating fundamental aspects of his life:
1-THE CHILD IN QUEDLINBURG, MOVING TO SCHNEPFENTHAL WITH HIS PARENTS
2-THE STUDENT IN SCHNEPFENTHAL, RITTER’S EDUCATİON AT SALZMANN’S INSTITUTION — CAREER CHOICE
3-THE STUDENT AT HALLE UNIVERSITY — LIFE IN THE HOLLWEG FAMILY
4-THE SCHOLAR IN (SWITZERLAND) GENEVA 5-THE WRITER IN GÖTTINGEN 6-THE TEACHER IN FRANKFURT-ON-THE-MAIN 7-THE PROFFESOR IN BERLIN 1 THE CHILD IN QUEDLINBURG, MOVING TO SCHNEPFENTHAL WITH HIS PARENTS
Carl Ritter was born in Magdeburg, Germany, on August 7, 1779 asone of six siblings. His mother was uneducated, but religious, and his father was a well-known doctor who served as a consultant to the sister of Frederick the Great. We learn about Carl’s father through the letters of his loyal friend, Gutsmuths, who describes him as knowledgeable, dignified, patient, and choleric. A choleric person is typically passionate, ambitious, determined, and exhibits leadership qualities.
His father died when Carl Ritter was very young. His father had struggled with charlatan doctors. These charlatan doctors blamed real doctors like his father while flattering themselves. Additionally, they were not afraid to treat patients, which became a big problem for his father. Therefore, his father complained about them. However, the charlatan doctors went after him and made accusations. This situation deeply affected his father. In the summer of 1779, typhoid fever catched him. He wrote a letter for his son in the last days of September.
“With God’s good help, I hope to be able to return to church again a week from now. Then we will have our harvest thanksgiving festival. And though I have not had much to do with gathering the wheat myself, I have many thanks to give to God for the restoration of my health. Ah, my dear Carl, how much profit I have gained for my soul during this long illness! The hospital bed is certainly a good school for us; we learn to see things from another perspective, not from the side we are directed.”
According to Gutsmuths’s letters, Carl Ritter’s mother is a very sensitive person, but she can show supreme endurance for her children. Gutsmuths is always a faithful friend until his father’s last breath. Also, he is a tutor. He is addicted to learning and drawing. While he is teaching the siblings, he was continuing his academic life. He was successful in this job; Even other families came near him and demanded him to teach their children. But he was linked to the Ritter family, so when Mrs. Ritter confessed that she could not pay a salary, he still stayed with the Ritter family.
At that time, a school was built in Schnepfenthal by a teacher named Salzmann. Salzmann was trying to find a child who was talented for his new educational method. He learned accidentally that Ritter’s father had died and sent two men there to see if there was a boy he was looking for. The result was satisfactory. Mrs. Ritter was able to send Carl Ritter with the support of another family. Gutsmuths also received an offer to teach, and they both began their journey.
2
THE STUDENT IN SCHNEPFENTHAL, RITTER’S EDUCATİON AT SALZMANN’S INSTITUTION — CAREER CHOICE
Schnepfenthal is an important place for Carl Ritter. The school, which was influenced by “Emile” written by Rousseau, aimed at happiness and solving community issues. Salzmann wanted to teach his pupils’ minds in a rational way and to avoid their soul’s needs. Education was supported with festivals, activities, and trips.
The school and teachers were a second family for young Carl. Especially “Father Salzman,” Carl felt good emotions and gratitude towards him as a guide. The years in Schnepfenthal impacted Carl’s choices and career goals. We can gather information about Ritter’s character and interests from Gutsmuths’ letters at the time.
“He makes maps better than those prepared by older children, but, as you know, his handwriting is poor.” In a letter written in March 1791, “Carl’s definite tendencies are towards geography and drawing. He is truly very talented and can achieve more than eighty percent of his peers.”
Education encompasses physical, mental, and emotional development in a balanced way. Physical activities include regular habits of living, healthy nutrition, and physical fitness. Mental education enhances observation abilities and analytical thinking. Salzman’s educational method focuses on the development of students’ characteristics such as honesty, diligence, and responsibility.
After Carl Ritter left Schnepfenthal, he decided to go to Frankfurt. Carl Ritter was hosted by Mr. Hollweg, and they developed a close relationship. The Hollweg family promised to support Ritter’s academic life and future. Carl enjoyed his trip to Frankfurt and was influenced by the friendship, culture, and helpfulness of the Hollweg family.
3
THE STUDENT AT HALLE UNIVERSITY LIFE IN THE HOLLWEG FAMILY
When he was at Halle University, the new shape of life affected his future in very different ways. At first, he did not like geography, but gradually, his new experiences and lessons enhanced his love of geography and passion for teaching. He chose to become a teacher because of his love for his family and his desire to serve the community. When he arrived at Halle University, he could not find the same friendly relationships as he had with his friends from Schnepfenthal. However, over time, he was able to get stronger bonds.
He was living with Professor Niemeyer because there was no official university building at that time. Halle University was not like Schnepfenthal; There were no flowers, no plants, no insects… But encountering old friends and brothers was a consolation. He attended his lectures regularly, maintaining an intense work discipline.
Halle, unlike his previous school, emphasizes his teaching skills and focuses on classical literary works. By the time he graduates at the age of 19, he has no trace of his former shyness and sets off towards Frankfurt, which will shape the years to come, on October 12, 1798.
When he worked as a tutor for the traditional and respected Hollweg Family’s children, he observed how the city and the Hollweg family influenced the children. Carl Ritter not only provided academic information but also imparted human qualities and moral principles.
The Hollweg family leaned towards materialism and placed little importance on religion. This tendency affects the children’s development. Ritter made an effort to counteract the negative effects, taking notes from his experiences and analyzing himself. He often said, “From those children, I learned a lot.”
Throughout his teaching career, his relationships with his students and their transformations contributed to his educational philosophy. Ritter’s experiences were not only about the students’ education but also his personal growth.
4
THE SCHOLAR IN (SWITZERLAND) GENEVA
Geneva, a city that seems to never age, has become an intellectual center, serving as the cradle of information and ideas. Carl Ritter took a significant step forward when he arrived in Switzerland, meeting historians and men of letters. Besides its cultural wealth, Geneva is a centre of science and art.
He became recognized with Dante and other Italian writers, and he discovered his interest in Spanish literature through Sismondi’s in-depth studies of Southern European literature. His favorite lectures were Pictet’s chemistry lessons, which proved to be fascinating for the adult Ritter.
Conversations and debates in Madame De Stael’s house prepared a flood of ideas where different concepts conflicted. Ritter mentions one particular talk at Madame De Stael’s house:
“With the guidance of conversation,” he writes, “We delved into German history, art, and language, discovering Madame de Stael’s expertise in all. Our hostess reminded us that German ideas, not language, were permitted in her home. Madame de Stael quoted German writers with excellent pronunciation. Yet, French and German weren’t our only languages; English and Italian were spoken too, and she even quoted Latin without pretense. As we moved to dinner, the atmosphere was jovial with jokes and witty remarks. While Madame de Stael may not have shined brightly in Geneva, I found her character intriguing and increasingly appreciated her valuable qualities.”
Ritter witnessed discussions between De Stael and Sismondi, and his perspectives changed significantly. De Stael defends the supremacy of religion and the necessity of morality for weak individuals. On the other hand, Sismondi argues that morality is linked to religion, and religion must resist morality.
Young Hollweg planned a trip to South Africa, but Mr. Hollweg gets sicks immediately, therefore they could not set off there. At that point, under the influence of Geneva’s natural beauty, Ritter made a lot of nature maps, which fired his interest in botany and mineralogy.
However, a major missing occurred when Salzman and Ritter’s stepfather, Zerrener, passed away. Their deaths caused great mourning and sadness for Carl Ritter.
5
THE WRITER IN GÖTTINGEN
The period of Göttingen is an important era, which provided an opportunity to deeply delve into geography, besides shaping significant personal and academic decisions. After a difficult inception due to public riots and the shadows of war, Ritter drew attention with a strong bond and pacifist stance towards his country. Ritter, whom Mrs. Hollweg gave confirmation to continue her children’s education, continued with his work while improving his general culture. When he refused various academic offers, he contacted major scientists of the time to form partnerships for his works. Also, struggling with publishing was a part of this time.
On the other hand, he fell in love with his future wife. In a letter he wrote to his sister, he expressed his emotions for Lili, who was his sister’s friend. He asked if she loved him. The day after, he received a letter from Lili, and they got engaged after receiving a letter saying that their feelings were mutual.
6
THE TEACHER IN FRANKFURT-ON-THE-MAIN
He hoped that he could live in Frankfurt, but the demand could not find any answer and after a year he left Frankfurt. When he was a teacher, he was given up to his freedom by an institution which he did not please. His time was full and ‘Erdkunde’ — his important work about geography and nature maps — was left unfinished. Even he could not visit or have a walk with friends.
He was disturbed a lot by offers from Berlin and financial problems. In the end of the conflicts, he decided to go to Berlin where there were scientists who can be exciting to work with. Ritter is a well-known figure like his father around the world and has a perfect character. In his last times, he claimed that he never turned his face away from his friends.
7
THE PROFFESOR IN BERLIN
The second period of Carl Ritter’s life maintained his status as a successful writer and professor markedly. He was recognized for both his teaching and writing skills, which had a significant influence. However, his teaching career, particularly the vivid atmosphere in classrooms and his ability to inspire his pupils, created more evident effects than his written work. Erdkunde, especially the part concerning the Holy Land, carries valuable resources for geography students. Unfortunately, many students did not pay as much attention as the lectures. He gained respect and a wide following among students through his lectures. His humility and inner peace left an important impact on people. With his tall stance, intelligent eyes, and a smile full of love, he reflected his inner beauty. Witnesses, as Guyot emphasizes, found him dignified but with a calm appearance.
In every country, there are a few geographers. However, many students from various countries attended his lectures, and he could engage them as eager listeners. Listening to Carl Ritter became a trend and his eagerness, spark of exciting emotions with giving trust caused regular attendance. At the same time, Carl Ritter gave lectures to officer candidates who studied in war school. Particularly his ties with Prince Albert and King Frederick-William IV reflect how he was reliable and protective. Initially, he enjoyed a varied life, but then he revised his lectures and began to form the gigantic work ‘Erdkunde’. He also addressed the religious aspects of science.
A note on the day before he died, he mentioned that everyone who wants to protect the honor of branches of science must unite. Before the trip to Western France and the Pyrenees, he clarified his beliefs. He accepted that his life is in God’s hands, expressing trust and gratitude to God. In the days close to his death, he was calm and powerful. He lived with God’s mercy and grace.
Ritter’s life at his home in Berlin was characterized by handwritten letters and his kind behavior towards his guests. When he was in his library, he spent profound and enjoyable time among books. His kind and helpful nature reflected his character, full of love. His nephew and grandchild, who investigated his library, could take away more than just a smile or temporary words. The expression ‘Come little one’ was just a kind of face. After a long session of conversation, he continued with his work, wearing his large horn-rimmed glasses.
His house in Berlin was destroyed to make way for new, chic shops. If you want to see Carl Ritter’s house, it was located where the block on Place Gens d’Armes faces the corner of Tauben and Charlotten Streets. His library, which could fill three large rooms and was thought to contain more than thirty thousand volumes, was also destroyed. Some of his books even made their way to America. The demolition cost about seventy-five thousand thalers, or eleven thousand pounds sterling. It was sold at auction for fourteen thousand thalers, or just over two thousand pounds.
When Carl Ritter was eighty, he died on September 29, 1859. His last words showed us that he maintained his beliefs throughout his life and relied on God, whom Ritter believed in his entire life. He was almost well in his last days; Even in his letter to his friend from Schnepfenthal, his wording was sunny always. On October 1, he was buried in a cemetery outside Berlin’s Oranienburg Gate. One day before his death, while sitting in his bed, a priest quoted the 23rd Psalm “The Lord is my Shepherd,” and Ritter responded, “The Lord has guided me here and he will not abandon me now.” These were among his last words. But his memory lives on. A monument was built for his remembrance in 1865 at the entrance of Bruehl in Quedlinburg. Ritter Range in California was named after him in his honor. But perhaps the most unusual thing is that a moon crater was named after his last name in order to contribute to the advancement of science.
