KERN, Fritz (Max Friedrich Ludwig Hermann). Stuttgart 28.9.1884 — Mainz 21.5.1950. German Historian. Son of Hermann von Kern (1854–1932), Councillor of state in Württenberg, and Karoline von Hufnagel, a Roman Catholic family. Gymnasium in Stuttgart. From 1902-03 studies of law at Lausanne, but soon history at Tübingen and Berlin. Ph.D. 1906 Berlin. Visited a number of European archives. PD 1909 Kiel, 1913 ao. Professor there. In 1914-22 ord. Professor at Frankfurt, then at Bonn until retirement in 1947. He was conservative and nationalist and before war criticised Hitler. During war years lived in Bonn and near Graz in Austria concentrating on work, avoiding all publicity and contacts with authorities. After war some time in Switzerland. Married 1909 Bertha von Hartmann (b. 1886, divorce 1911), two daughters and one son, and 1941 Elisabeth Charlotte Ahrens (b. 1904), one son.
Publications: Much on medieval European history.
– Aśoka, Kaiser und Missionar. Ed. by W. Kirfel. 208 p. Bern 1956.
Sources: H. Trimborn, ZfEthnol. 76, 1951, 137f. (with a list of his historical writings); Wikipedia, long article with further references (see also German version).
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