Description
This collection consists of correspondence, transcripts, publications, manuscripts, and photographs.
Background
William Hermanns (1895-1990) was born in Koblenz, Rhineland, Germany, to Michael and Bertha Hermanns, née Wolff, and was the
third child of four siblings (Hans, Gretel, William, and Hildegard). After he was orphaned at ten years old, Hermanns was
raised by his aunt, Veronika Hermanns. Hermanns was of Jewish ancestry, and later converted to Christian Science, then to
Catholicism. In 1914, he enlisted in the Kaiser's army at the beginning of World War I and became one of the longest-living
survivors of the Battle of Verdun in 1916. After Germany's loss, Hermanns was captured by the French and held prisoner for
forty months. Following his release, he returned to Germany to study at the Universities of Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt,
where he received a doctorate in Sociology by 1926.
Restrictions
Copyright has been assigned to the San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission
to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication
is given on behalf of the SJSU Special Collections & Archives as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include
or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader. Copyright restrictions also apply
to digital reproductions of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.