author
Armin Stein
1840–1929
A prolific German pastor, writer, and composer, Armin Stein brought the history of Halle and the lives of figures such as Martin Luther, Georg Friedrich Händel, and August Hermann Francke to a wide readership. His warm historical narratives and popular stories made him one of the most productive authors of his time.
2 Audiobooks
Albrecht Dürer: Een levensbeeld
by Armin Stein
Katharine von Bora: Dr. Martin Luther's Wife
by Armin Stein
About the author
Armin Stein was the pen name of Hermann Otto Nietschmann, born on January 11, 1840, in Neutz-Lettewitz and died on November 27, 1929, in Halle. He studied theology at the University of Halle and became a pastor at Halle’s Moritzkirche, where he served for 40 years before retiring in 1907. He was also a composer and had four children with his wife, Berta Brandt.
Nietschmann published most of his work under the name Armin Stein. The pseudonym combines an old Latin form of “Hermann” with “Stein,” created by reading the first five letters of his surname, “Niets,” backward.
His large body of work included popular story collections, historical narratives, biographies, and books about Halle’s past. Notable titles include Die Stadt Halle an der Saale, Der Salzgraf von Halle, and biographies of Händel, Luther, Francke, Gutenberg, and other major figures. His autobiographical novel Arnold Strahl – Ein Schülerleben recalls his school days at Halle’s Francke Foundations.