Egon Friedell - Early Life

Early Life

Friedell was the 3rd child of a Jewish silk manufacturer, Moriz Friedmann, and his wife, Karoline (née Eisenberger). After his parents divorced in 1887, Friedell lived with his father. After his father's death in 1891, Friedell lived with his aunt in Frankfurt am Main, where he would attend school, until he was expelled for unruly behaviour two years later. Even at this young age, Friedell was considered a trouble maker and free thinker. He attended several schools in Austria and Germany, until he finally passed his Abitur (exit examination) after four attempts, in Bad Hersfeld in 1899.

In 1897, prior to his graduation, Friedell had enrolled as a guest student at Berlin University, studying German literature, natural sciences and philosophy. It was during this time, that Friedell renounced Judaism and converted to the Lutheran faith. After graduation, he enrolled in Heidelberg University to study under the philosophy historian and follower of Hegel, Kuno Fischer. In 1899, he accepted his inheritance enabling him to live financially independently in Vienna.

From 1900 to 1904, Egon Friedell studied German literature and philosophy in Vienna, at the University of Heidelberg. In 1904, he received his PhD for his dissertation; Novalis als Philosoph. In 1905, he published the article Prejudices in Karl Kraus's journal Fackel, which included the following statement:

The worst prejudice we acquire during our youth is the idea that life is serious. Children have the right instincts: they know that life is not serious, and treat it as a game...