Hermann Raster papers
Collection
Identifier: Midwest-MS-Raster
Scope and Content of the Collection
The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence — professional, personal, and family. Many of the letters in the collection are in German, written by prominent German-American and German editors, professors, diplomats, singers and authors. There are also letters in English from important Chicagoans covering topics such as the fledgling Chicago Public library, immigration laws, the Chicago Board of Education, anti-temperance and the Republican Platform. Many of Raster’s letters to his family have been translated, including those that reveal his experiences and feelings as an immigrant in New York City and during the aftermath of the Chicago fire in 1871.
The Works series includes clippings of Raster’s columns and editorials, as well as hundreds of pro-union, anti-slavery news letters sent to a Berlin paper during the Civil War. This collection also includes various personal items such as several photographs, illustrations, an obituaries scrapbook, and various memorabilia.
The Works series includes clippings of Raster’s columns and editorials, as well as hundreds of pro-union, anti-slavery news letters sent to a Berlin paper during the Civil War. This collection also includes various personal items such as several photographs, illustrations, an obituaries scrapbook, and various memorabilia.
Dates
- 1849-1940
- Majority of material found within 1860 - 1891
Creator
- Raster, Hermann (Person)
Language
Materials are in German and English.
Conditions Governing Access
The Hermann Raster papers are open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room; 1 box at a time (Priority III).
Ownership and Literary Rights
The Hermann Raster papers are the physical property of the Newberry Library. Copyright may belong to the authors or their legal heirs or assigns. For permission to publish or reproduce any materials from this collection, contact the Roger and Julie Baskes Department of Special Collections at reference@newberry.org.
Biography of Hermann Raster
German immigrant “Forty-Eighter,” editor of New York Abendzeitung and Illinois Staats-Zeitung.
Hermann Raster was born in 1827 in Zerbst, Germany. He graduated from University of Leipzig in 1846 and the University of Berlin in 1848. In 1849 he took a job as the stenographer of the Anhalt Legislature. Raster took part in the revolutions of 1848, writing passionately against church and monarchy. He was forced to flee to America with fellow revolutionaries to escape prison.
Raster arrived in New York in July, 1851 and first found employment as a farmhand near Tioga, PA. He left for Buffalo in the spring of 1852, accepting the position of editor for the Buffalo Demokrat. His journalistic reputation grew quickly and in February of 1853, Raster was made editor of the New York Abendzeitung, the most influential German-language paper of the time.
In 1867, Raster accepted the position as editor for the Illinois Staats-Zeitung in Chicago, where he remained until his death. Raster died in July 1891 in Silesia, Germany where he had traveled for his poor health. His third wife Margarethe and their three children, Anna, Edwin and Walther survived him.
Raster was influential in leading the German-American switch to the Republican Party in 1856, swaying German public opinion via his pro-union, anti-slavery articles in the German press, and promoting the personal liberty (anti-temperance) cause.
Hermann Raster was born in 1827 in Zerbst, Germany. He graduated from University of Leipzig in 1846 and the University of Berlin in 1848. In 1849 he took a job as the stenographer of the Anhalt Legislature. Raster took part in the revolutions of 1848, writing passionately against church and monarchy. He was forced to flee to America with fellow revolutionaries to escape prison.
Raster arrived in New York in July, 1851 and first found employment as a farmhand near Tioga, PA. He left for Buffalo in the spring of 1852, accepting the position of editor for the Buffalo Demokrat. His journalistic reputation grew quickly and in February of 1853, Raster was made editor of the New York Abendzeitung, the most influential German-language paper of the time.
In 1867, Raster accepted the position as editor for the Illinois Staats-Zeitung in Chicago, where he remained until his death. Raster died in July 1891 in Silesia, Germany where he had traveled for his poor health. His third wife Margarethe and their three children, Anna, Edwin and Walther survived him.
Raster was influential in leading the German-American switch to the Republican Party in 1856, swaying German public opinion via his pro-union, anti-slavery articles in the German press, and promoting the personal liberty (anti-temperance) cause.
Extent
6.2 Linear Feet (10 boxes and 2 oversize boxes)
Abstract
Correspondence and other materials pertaining to the life of German immigrant "Forty-Eighter," Hermann Raster, and his work as editor of the Illinois Staats-Zeitung.
Organization
Papers are organized in the following series:
- Series 1: Correspondence, 1850-1892
- Boxes 1-2
- Series 2: Works, 1849-1911
- Boxes 3-5
- Series 3: Personal, 1879-1940
- Box 6
- Series 4: Family Papers, 1851-1930
- Boxes 7-10
Collection Stack Location
1 28 7, 1 43 12
Other Finding Aids
Article: Newberry Library Bulletin, Dec. 1945 (no. 3).
Provenance
Gift of Anna Raster Hercz, [1946]; Lenore Raster Aagaard, 1945-1977; Elizabeth Raster Marlowe, 1967; and Arthur Hercz ,1979.
Processed by
Shannon Yule, 2007.
Acknowledgements
This inventory was created with the generous support of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this inventory do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
- Brachvogel, Udo, 1835-1913
- Chicago (Ill.) -- Newspapers
- Clippings -- 1851-1900
- Correspondence -- 1851-1900
- Correspondence -- 1901-1950
- Damrosch, Leopold, 1832-1885
- Diaries -- 1851-1900
- Diaries -- 1901-1950
- Forty-Eighters (American immigrants)
- German Americans -- Illinois -- Chicago -- Newspapers
- Germans -- United States
- Manuscripts, American -- Illinois -- Chicago
- Medill, Joseph
- Newspaper editors -- Illinois -- Chicago
- Parker, Francis W. (Francis Wayland), 1837-1902
- Pulitzer, Joseph, 1847-1911
- Rapp, Wilhelm
- Raster, Hermann
- Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- )
- Temperance -- History -- 19th century
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
Creator
- Raster, Hermann (Person)
- Title
- Inventory of the Hermann Raster papers, 1849-1940, bulk 1860-1891
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Shannon Yule
- Date
- ©2007.
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the The Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512
reference@newberry.org
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512
reference@newberry.org