Theodor Storm and Theodor Mommsen (Germany)

Theodor Storm and Theodor Mommsen were both born in the Duchy of Schleswig in 1817. After their first meeting in 1839 the two authors were connected by a life long friendship. 

Theodor Storm was born on 14th September in Husum. He published his first poems at the age of 15. In 1837 he started to study law at the University of Kiel. In Kiel he also met Theodor Mommsen and his brother Tycho. Together they published a collection of songs, myths and fairy tales. After his studies he moved back to Husum and opened a lawyer's office. There he also married and together with his wife he had seven children. Between 1848 and 1851 he took part in the First Schleswig War. He later lived in Potsdam (1853-1856) and Heiligenstadt (1856-1864). After the Second Schleswig War he moved back to Husum in 1864 and became bailiff. In 1880 he retired and moved to Hademarschen, where he wrote some novellas. Theodor Storm died on 4th July 1888. He is considered to have been one of the most important authors of the Literary Realism. His most famous works include the novella The Rider on the White Horse and the poem The Town.

Theodor Mommsen was born on 30th November in Garding. His father awakened his interest for ancient literature early. In 1838 he started to study law at the University of Kiel. Although he was actually a lawyer, he devoted himself to ancient history after his studies of Roman law. In 1844 he started a journey to France and Italy, where he planned a collection of Roman epigraphs. After his return to Germany he worked as teacher and later journalist, before he became extraordinary professor in Leipzig in 1848. Due to his participation in the May Uprising in Dresden in 1849, he was dismissed and became professor in Zurich in 1852 and in 1854 in Breslau. In 1858 he moved to Berlin and in 1861 he became professor at the Frederick William University, where he lectured until 1885. In Berlin he was also a member of the Reichstag. For his History of Rome he got the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1902. Theodor Mommsen died on 1st November 1903. He is considered to have been one of the most important historians of the 19th century.