Paul Plaut: correspondence

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Dr. Paul Plaut, a psychiatrist and child delinquency expert in Berlin, published a book, Die Psychologie der produktiven Persönlichkeit. In preparation he sent questionnaires to about 400 prominent scientists and artists asking for their views and experience. This collection contains the answers received by Paul Plaut. They provide a fascinating insight into what prominent- and some now famous- people thought about creativity at the time.

Dr. Plaut wrote to practically everyone whose name was well known in the artistic and academic world in Germany and Austria and it is surprising how many positive responses he received, some of them dealing with the questions in great detail. There are some interesting responses from outside the German speaking countries (Unamuno, Galsworthy), but the bulk of the contributions represent the views of German-speaking academics and artists. Responses to the scientific questionnaire include Einstein, Haber and Freundlich as well as lay figures such as Radbrüch and Hellpach. Communications from writers range from letters by Heinrich and Franziska Mann (and a very short one from Thomas Mann) to a postcard from Elsa Laska- Schüler. Architects write about their work and new ideas (Mendelsohn, May) and some of the painters give delightful insights into their creative development, notably Kadinsky, Dix and Pechstein.