My Autobiography: A Fragment

A modest yet deeply reflective memoir unfolds from the mind of a 19th‑century scholar who rose from a foreign student to a towering figure in comparative linguistics and mythology. In its early pages he traces how a fascination with Herbart’s philosophy steered him away from classic studies toward the fledgling fields of language science and etymology, and how a yearning to uncover knowledge no one else possessed propelled him into the demanding worlds of Arabic, Persian, and finally Sanskrit.

The fragmentary autobiography, assembled with the help of his devoted son during the author’s final weeks, offers candid counsel to struggling academics. He paints his own path as a series of serendipitous chances, rejections, and collaborations, emphasizing the value of independence and the humility that kept him open to unexpected directions. Listeners will find a sincere portrait of scholarly perseverance, revealing how curiosity and modesty can shape a lifetime of pioneering work.