Correspondence with Jaeger, Hans

Hans Jaeger (1899-1975) was a German writer and editor. Being a member of the communist party he had emigrated in 1933. Stations of his exile were Prague, where he turned away from communism, and London subsequently. Jaeger engaged in several German immigrant organisations, among them Club 43, a loose association of left and liberal (Jewish-)German exiles in London, and Arbeitskreis 1961. Naturalized in 1949, he joined the Labour Party in the post war era. He worked as journalist and correspondent, and collaborated with The Wiener Library over a long period.

See Röder, W. and H. Strauss (ed.), Biographisches Handbuch der deutschsprachigen Emigration nach 1933, vol. 1: Politik, Wirtschaft, öffentliches Leben, Munich, Saur, 1980, pp. 327-28.

Comprising handwritten and typewritten letters, the correspondence documents the close relationship between Jaeger and Alfred Wiener, and the former’s work for The Wiener Library. This includes the provision of expert reports as well as the writing of numerous book reviews and articles for the Library’s Bulletin.

Moreover, the letters pertain to the exchange of information, publications, and research assistance concerning a wide range of subjects related to both the Nazi era as well as post war Germany. Furthermore, events of Club 43 and Alfred Wiener’s membership in it are discussed.

Aside from letters a leaflet with an overview of the fate of former high rank Nazi officials since 1945 is contained.