Jeremias Gotthelf

Swiss writer, born in Murten, Canton Fribourg. Trained in theology and pursuing the career of parish priest, he began writing with the aim of instructing his flock, but soon gained literary renown as a leading representative of realistic rural ‘Heimatdichtung’, employing a direct approach and picturesque language. Wie Uli der Knecht glücklich wird (1841) and Uli der Pächter (1849) are prime examples of his Heimatkunst, while the novella Die schwarze Spinne (1842) is considered a model of realistic narrative art. Other (often multi-volume) works include Der Bauernspiegel (1837), Bilder und Sagen aus der Schweiz (1842–6), Wie Anne Bäbi Jowäger haushaltet und wie es mit dem Doktern geht (1843 pp.), Zeitgeist und Berner Geist (1852), and Erlebnisse eines Schuldenbauers (1854).

Albert Bitzius (October 4, 1797 - October 22, 1854), Swiss novelist, best known by his pen name of Jeremias Gotthelf, was born at Morat, where his father was pastor.

In 1804 the home was moved to Utzenstorf, a village in the Bernese Emmental. Here young Bitzius grew up, receiving his early education and consorting with the boys of the village, as well as helping his father to cultivate his glebe. In 1812 he went to complete his education at Bern, and in 1820 was received as a pastor. Early in 1831 he went as assistant to the aged pastor of the village of Lützelflüh, in the Upper Emmenthal (between Langnau and Burgdorf), being soon elected his successor (1832) and marrying one of his granddaughters (1833).

His first work, the Bauernspiegel, appeared in 1837. It is a living picture of Bernese (or, strictly speaking, Emmenthal) village life, true to nature, and not attempting to gloss over its defects and failings.

Among his later tales are the Leiden und Freuden eines Schulmeisters (1838-1839), Uli der Knecht (1841), with its continuation, Uli der Pächter (1849), Anne-Bäbi Jowäger (1843-1844), Käthi, die Großmutter (5847), Die Käserei in der Vehfreude (1850), and the Erlebnisse eines Schuldenbauers (1854).

One slight drawback to some of his writings is the echo of local political controversies, for Bitzius was a Whig and strongly opposed to the Radical party in the canton, which carried the day in 1846.

He died on October 22, 1854 in Lützelflüh in Canton of Bern.

Lives by C. at Berlin, 1856-1861, while 10 vols., giving the original text of each story, were issued at Bern, 1898-1900.