Biography

1883 - 1913

15. February 1883

View of Stettin around 1895 - in the foreground the ‘Long Bridge’

Karl Albert Fritz Gerlich is born in Stettin (now Szczecin), the eldest of four sons of the fish wholesaler Paul Gerlich and his wife Therese (born Scholwin).
He attends the Marienstiftsgymnasiums (St. Mary’s Foundation School) in Stettin – because of the difficult economic situation the family is dependent on a scholarship.
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12. September 1901

Gerlich finishes his studies with the high school exam

1901

He starts studying mathematics and natural sciences at Munich University

1902/03

Munich 1902 – view of the Hofbräuhaus

After a brief intermezzo at Leipzig University Gerlich moves back to Munich to focus on humanities especially history
During his studies Gerlich is an active member of the Free Students, a socially liberal student organisation that was in competition with the (conservative) student corps and the fraternities. He writes a pamphlet “Academic Education – Routes and Objectives. “ He finances his studies as an advertising copywriter for “Kathreiners Malzkaffee“ (Kathreiner’s Malt Coffee).

9. March 1907

He completes a PhD under Prof. Karl Theodor von Heigel with the dissertation “The Testament of Henry VI”.

1907

Gerlich starts his career of archivist in Munich.

1908

Secretary of the "Liberaler Arbeiterverein München" (Liberal Workers Union, Association Munich)

26. March 1911

He gains access to the Kgl. Allgemeines Reichsarchiv (Royal General Reich Archive).

June 1912

He completes his work on the "Generalregister der Allgemeinen Deutschen Biographie" (General German Biographical Register), 54 volumes.

1913

He publishes the study “Geschichte und Theorie des Kapitalismus“ (The History and Theory of Capitalism) with the renowned publishing house Duncker & Humblodt, in the context of trying to write an inaugural dissertation (prerequisite to become recognized as a academic professor) in economics.