The directory «Plots»

Hoffmann-Donner Heinrich
(1809—1894)
«Slovenly Peter»
«Struwwelpeter»

Heinrich Hoffmann was a German psychiatrist, who also wrote some short works including Der Struwwelpeter, an illustrated book on misbehaving children. Hoffmann studied medicine in Heidelberg. Heinrich Hoffmann was born on 13th June 1809 in Frankfurt-am-Main. He studied at Halle and after graduating, he became a general practicioner in Frankfurt. As a physician, Hoffman wrote books on medicine and psychiatry. But he suddently became a well-known writer thanks to Der Struwwelpeter (1845), translated into English by Mark Twain with the title Slovenly Peter. This book has been translated to many languages and nowadays it is considered to be a children's classic, yet unconventional and against any "politically correct" principles. Hoffmann also wrote poetry, humour, and satire. Herman Hoffman first described hyperactivity in 1845. From 1851, he was director of the municipal psychiatry in Frankfurt.

Hoffman was looking for a Christmas gift for hi four-year-old son, and finding nothing suitable, he decided to write and illustrate a character for him.
Since the time it was first published in 1845, Der Struwwelpeter got translated not only into English but into many other different languages, amongst them Dutch, French, Danish and Mandarin. The translation into English was done by Mark Twain, and Louis Ratisbonne was in charge of the French version (titled Pierre l'Ebouriffé).

This is the story of Slovenly Peter (or Shock-headed Peter), a boy whose wild appearance is matched by his naughty behaviour. His scruffy hair and his long nails made all children laugh but at the same time fear him. The book is made out of short poems wich pretend to amuse and educate with its macabre humour, like the story of the three boys who laughed at a black boy and were thown into an ink tank.

German Federal Republic, 1994, Little Pauline

German Federal Republic, 1994, Johnny Head-in-the-Air

German Federal Republic, 1994, Slovenly Peter

German Federal Republic, 1994, Naughty Frederich

German Federal Republic, 1994, Fidget-Philipp

German Federal Republic, 2009, Johnny Head-in-the-Air

Czech Republic, 1994.04.14, Susice. Heinrich Hoffmann

German Federal Republic, 1994.04.14, Bonn. Heinrich Hoffmann

German Federal Republic, 2009.06.04, Berlin. Rat

German Federal Republic, 2009.06.04, Bonn. Cat

German Federal Republic, 1994, Heinrich Hoffmann's Heroes