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Rolf Wilhelm Brednich, born on February 8, 1935, was a distinguished German Europeanist ethnologist, ethnographer, and folklorist whose contributions enriched the realms of folklore and cultural studies.
Education
Brednich began his education at the German Universities of Tübingen and Mainz, where he studied theology, history, folklore, and German studies. His success in academia was demonstrated by his doctoral dissertation from the University of Mainz, which examined “Folktales and Folklore of the Women of Destiny.”
Career
Brednich was the director of the German Folk Song Archive in Freiburg from 1963 until 1980. He oversaw the German Society for Folklore’s commission for song, music, and dance study during this time, which ran from 1965 until 1974. His impact also included his teaching career, which spanned 1969 to 1981 at the University of Freiburg. It was there that he completed his habilitation in 1973 for his research on “Die Liedpublizistik in the leaflet of the 15th to 17th centuries.”
Brednich showed his dedication to compiling and distributing academic materials in the discipline by editing the “Folklore Bibliography” in 1975. When he was appointed co-editor of the magazine “Fabula” and editor-in-chief of the “Encyclopedia of the Folktale” in 1982, his editorial responsibilities were broadened. His commitment to furthering the scholarly conversation in folklore studies was demonstrated by these responsibilities.
Brednich’s dedication to advancing folklore studies was demonstrated by his leadership positions. He led the Lower Saxony Folklore Commission from 1983 until 1999. He also held the position of head of the German Society for Folklore from 1991 until 1999.
He had the distinction of being named a Senior Honorary Research Fellow at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand’s Stout Center, in 2000. This acknowledgment demonstrated his influence on folklore throughout the world. He conducted research in Germany, Canada, and New Zealand while serving as the School of Social and Cultural Studies’ visiting professor of anthropology starting in 2005.
Brednich became well-known among the larger German-speaking public for his studies of urban tales. His remarkable collection, which began with “The Spider in the Yucca Palm,” made him well-known outside of academic circles by introducing these engrossing stories to a wider readership.
What was Rolf Wilhelm Brednich’s Cause of Death?
Rolf Wilhelm Brednich passed away on 30 November, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand. He died at the age of 88. The actual cause of his death has not been revealed.
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