This collection consists of correspondence, transcripts, publications, manuscripts, and photographs.

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.

10 Box (10.56 linear ft.)

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.

Collection is open for research.