Heinrich Hoffmann introducing his character, Struwwelpeter, in…
1845 CE
Hoffmann, a psychiatrist, had published poems and a satirical comedy before, in 1845, a publisher friend persuades him to have a collection of illustrated children's verses printed, which Hoffmann does as a Christmas present for his son.
The book, later called Struwwelpeter after one of its anti-heroes, will become popular with the public and will be reprinted regularly; many foreign translations will follow.
"Struwwelpeter" is not perceived as cruel or overly moral by Hoffmann's contemporaries.
The original title, "Funny stories and droll pictures", indicates that entertainment is at least partly the author's intention.
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Central Europe
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