KARL WILHELM JERUSALEM. Der Mann, der zu Goethes Werther wurde.

Goethe's novel "The Sorrows of Young Werther", published in 1774, made Karl Wilhelm Jerusalem posthumously famous and immortal. The lawyer from Brunswick and son of Collegium Carolinum co-founder Johann Friedrich Wilhelm "Abbot" Jerusalem was regarded by enthusiastic readers as the "archetype" of the main character, his suicide as the model for his tragic end. In fact, both are united by the fact that they despair of life. But the reasons for this differ. And the fictional Werther and the real-life Jerusalem have little else in common.

Isa Schikorsky's historical biography tells the story of an elegant and self-confident young man with excellent career prospects who, over the course of thirteen months, loses everything that seems important and worthwhile to him in life.

On November 18, the author will read from her latest work at the Schlossmuseum Braunschweig. Afterwards, there will be an opportunity to talk to the author over a glass of sparkling wine.

About the author: Isa Schikorsky lived and studied in Braunschweig, the place where Karl Wilhelm Jerusalem grew up. The Germanist and historian specializes in the cultural history of the 18th century. In addition to articles on the subject for academia, radio and print media, she designed an exhibition to mark the bicentenary of the death of Abbot Jerusalem, Karl Wilhelm Jerusalem's father, and wrote the accompanying catalog "Gelehrsamkeit und Geselligkeit" (1989).

In addition to numerous other publications, she has published two historical crime novels set in Braunschweig during the Rococo period: "Abbot Jerusalem und die Hohe Schule des Todes" (2009/2021) and "Fortunas tödliches Füllhorn" (2011/2021). She lives as a freelance author in Cologne.

The reading starts at 18:00 in the Schlossmuseum Braunschweig, the cost is 12.00 euros per person. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the museum box office. Due to the limited number of participants, reservations are recommended at schlossmuseum@residenzschloss-braunschweig.de or by telephone on 0531 470 4876.