Preface The Beginnings

The history of the German Department which is told on the following pages needs no introduction, but a few initial words of appreciation are in order. Our thanks for putting the history together go to two people. First to Mr. Robert Popham, one of our undergraduate majors, who gathered much of the historical material and who did so with skill and understanding. And second to the history's author, Oskar Seidlin. I suppose it must be difficult for anyone to write the story of a department in whose squabbles and successes and fortunes he has been intimately involved for many, many years. For Oskar Seidlin, however, the task was doubly difficult. The history of the department's rise to excellence over the last three decades is in fairly large measure the same history as that of Seidlin's own career. As one of the most distinguished scholars at this or any other university, he had the well-nigh impossible task of telling the story objectively without at the same time sounding shamelessly vain. To avoid the latter danger he presents a less objective chronicle than another writer would have done. For while one certainly gets an impression of his stature as scholar and teacher from the narrative, his fear of appearing immodest has led him to give his own accomplishments and the many honors he has brought to Ohio State considerably less than their proper due.

Charles W. Hoffmann
(Chair 1969-1977)
(Acting Chair SU 1987)

Forward to History of Our Department, The Beginnings.

Content Owner: Professor Bernd Fischer.