Anton Kuh - a bio-bibliographical approach, II

The life and work of Jewish journalist Anton Kuh (Vienna 1890-New York 1941) documents a particularly sensitive era in the history of Austrian literature and literary sociology. Literary historians in this country must not ignore this. Although Mr. Kuh tends to be regarded as a "Kaffeehausliterat", this is a misleading label, considering the fierce nature of his social criticism and his relentless disapproval of chauvinistic mentalities prevalent in his day. Mr. Kuh expressed his views in the most respected papers and magazines around the German-speaking area. His essays and polemics, if read in chronological order, add up to an index of his time. His critiques are a useful blueprint from which the reader can develop a rather accurate view of the social background reflected in Austrian literature in the years between 1914 and 1940. The objective of this project is to complete the work started by FWF project "Anton Kuh - a bio-bibliographical approach" (P18162-G06, from August 2005 to July 2007), that is: to retrieve and consolidate Mr. Kuh`s oeuvre, which is scattered over at least five dozen periodicals. It is planned to develop an exhaustive bibliography and monograph, thereby laying the groundwork for an annotated edition directed at a broader audience-a publication that has been long overdue. Based on the material developed through a multidisciplinary approach (the methodologies will notably also include oral history), the first biography solely dedicated to the life and work of Anton Kuh will be written. The sparse biographical documents will be presented in the light of modern author concepts or author configurations (e.g. Bourdieu`s concept of "habitus"). Portraying one of the most brilliant thinkers among the ranks of Austrian journalists, the monograph is designed to shed more light on the history of Austrian literature during the "interwar period" with all its political, socioeconomic and cultural implications. Specifically, it will enhance our understanding of the brain drain associated with Austrians being forced into exile at the time.

The life and work of Jewish journalist Anton Kuh (Vienna 1890-New York 1941) documents a particularly sensitive era in the history of Austrian literature and literary sociology. Literary historians in this country must not ignore this. Although Mr. Kuh tends to be regarded as a "Kaffeehausliterat", this is a misleading label, considering the fierce nature of his social criticism and his relentless disapproval of chauvinistic mentalities prevalent in his day. Mr. Kuh expressed his views in the most respected papers and magazines around the German-speaking area. His essays and polemics, if read in chronological order, add up to an index of his time. His critiques are a useful blueprint from which the reader can develop a rather accurate view of the social background reflected in Austrian literature in the years between 1914 and 1940. The objective of this project is to complete the work started by FWF project "Anton Kuh - a bio-bibliographical approach" (P18162-G06, from August 2005 to July 2007), that is: to retrieve and consolidate Mr. Kuh`s oeuvre, which is scattered over at least five dozen periodicals. It is planned to develop an exhaustive bibliography and monograph, thereby laying the groundwork for an annotated edition directed at a broader audience-a publication that has been long overdue. Based on the material developed through a multidisciplinary approach (the methodologies will notably also include oral history), the first biography solely dedicated to the life and work of Anton Kuh will be written. The sparse biographical documents will be presented in the light of modern author concepts or author configurations (e.g. Bourdieu`s concept of "habitus"). Portraying one of the most brilliant thinkers among the ranks of Austrian journalists, the monograph is designed to shed more light on the history of Austrian literature during the "interwar period" with all its political, socioeconomic and cultural implications. Specifically, it will enhance our understanding of the brain drain associated with Austrians being forced into exile at the time.