author
Herman Frobenius
1841–1916
A Prussian engineer officer who turned military experience into books and public commentary, he wrote about fortifications, warfare, and political affairs in late 19th- and early 20th-century Germany. He is also remembered as the father of ethnologist Leo Frobenius and painter Hermann Frobenius.
1 Audiobook
Alfried Krupp: Ein Lebensbild
by Herman Frobenius
About the author
Born in Langensalza on October 6, 1841, Hermann Wilhelm Theodor Frobenius — also written as Herman Frobenius — became a Prussian engineer officer and eventually reached the rank of lieutenant colonel. After his active service, he was known as a military writer and publicist, using his professional background to write on military and political subjects.
Available reference works describe him as an engineering officer, military author, and journalist or public commentator. He died in Charlottenburg on August 9, 1916. His family remained notable as well: he was the father of the ethnologist and explorer Leo Frobenius, and of the painter and writer Hermann Frobenius.
The surviving biographical record available online is fairly brief, but it presents him as one of those 19th-century figures whose career moved naturally from state service into print — from practical military work to published debate and analysis.