Legend [English]

Introductory remarks

Hermann Hesse´s exorbitant productivity as a writer, poet, literary critic and committed correspondent with general readers and notables is reflected in its immense impact on secondary literature. He is the most thoroughly documented German author of the 20th century.

Crucial stages in the life of an outstanding writer have again and again inspired bibliographers to scour his past, to steep into and compile his literary output with the aim of assembling an encompassing bibliography. Although secondary literature is steadily accumulating, chroniclers have so far succeeded in keeping abreast, avoiding gaps and maintaining relevance to the present situation. On the other hand it has become more difficult for those involved in literary studies to gain a general survey.

The data bank, presently being built up, now lists all the literary references of "selbständige" and "unselbständige" publications known so far by electronic compilation in a data searchmachine. Not yet known publications have been included from stocks of public archives and private collections: in this respect a new chapter in the field of personal bibliography as regards research and professional use.