Johann Friedrich Gerhard Roeber (19 June 1819 – 12 October 1901) was a German writer and historian who participated in literary circles in Elberfeld and Wuppertal, in Germany.
Johann Friedrich Gerhard Roeber
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Roeber c. 1900
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| Born | (1819-06-19)19 June 1819 |
| Died | 12 October 1901(1901-10-12) (aged 82) |
| Occupation(s) | Writer, historian |
| Spouse | Maria Wilhelmine Elise (née Kretzmann) |
| Children | Ernst Roeber, Fritz Roeber |
Johann Friedrich Gerhard Roeber was born on 19 June 1819 in Elberfeld, Germany[1]—the son of a woodturner, he attended the Elberfeld secondary school.[2] In 1834, he began an apprenticeship at the Bankhaus von der Heydt-Kersten & Söhne [de] (a credit bank). There he became a clerk, received power of attorney, and in 1872 became a partner. He left the company in 1879 and moved to Düsseldorf in 1894.
In the early 1840s, he participated in an Elberfeld literary circle, which included, among others, Adolf Schults, Carl de Haas [de], and Friedrich Engels.[3] He later distanced himself from Engels, in 1886.[4][5] In 1847, he married Maria Wilhelmine Elise (née Kretzmann). At this time, he became known as a playwright, novelist, and historian.
Roeber served as the Procurator for Elberfeld at some point.[citation needed]
In the early 1850s, Roeber was a member of the Wuppertal poets' circle (Wuppertaler Dichterkreis).[6] When this dissolved, a Sunday circle (Sonntagskränzchen) was formed, meeting at Roeber's house[7] and consisting of poetry recitations, music and discussions—the formation of which was described by Carl Siebel in a letter to Wolfgang Müller von Königswinter in June 1853:[8]
The founding of a poets' association [Dichtervereins] has recently been projected by Roeber, Schults, and myself—starting from the idea that all elasticity of the mind is formed purely through the exchange of ideas—we planned to meet every 4 weeks or 14 days to discuss set topics. Each person should draw their acquaintances as corresponding members, thus aiming for the greatest possible expansion gradually.
Between 1860 and 1864, he distinguished himself with publications in the literary journal Morgenblatt für gebildete Leser. A year and a half before his death, Roeber suffered a stroke. In a moment of mental confusion, he burned numerous letters from Schults and de Haas to him.[9]
He died on 12 October 1901 in Düsseldorf. Five years after his death, a monument was erected to him on Carnapsplatz in the Elberfeld Nordstadt (later destroyed in World War II). Another monument was erected in Düsseldorf by Karl Janssen.[10][11]
The painters Ernst Roeber [de] and Fritz Roeber were his sons.
