Ludwig Roselius makes an appearance in almost every text on this website. As such, we are merely including a CV in table form of the key figure of Böttcherstrasse here. A short biographical treatise cannot do justice to this versatile and complex character, and no comprehensive biography of his life has been written to date. The Bremen historian Herbert Schwarzwälder reached a good compromise, including a critical appraisal of his role in imperial politics: Ludwig Roselius, in: Berühmte Bremer, Munich 1972, p. 118-152. A little more detailed from a family perspective: Hildegard Roselius: Ludwig Roselius und sein kulturelles Werk, Braunschweig 1954.
Short biography
2 June 1874
Born in Bremen
1890
Apprenticeship in Hanover
1893
Military service in Bremen
1894
Initially Prokurist (authorised representative) in his father’s company, subsequently a partner. Member of the “Niedersachsenrunde von 1900” (Lower Saxony Round Table of 1900): collectors of local art
Circa 1900
Friendship with Heinrich Vogeler
1902
Purchase of Böttcherstrasse 6
1906
Patenting of the decaffeination process and foundation of Kaffee-Handels-Aktiengesellschaft (Kaffee HAG), large advertising campaign, publication of the Güldenkammer literary journal
1910
Move to Berlin
1913
Publication of the Deutsche Ortswappen anthology by HAG
1915
Appointment by the Federal Foreign Office as Head of Propaganda in the Balkans, subsequently in Scandinavia. Briefly a soldier
1917
Appointment as Bulgarian Consul General based in Bremen, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Central Office for Foreign Trade, member of the examination board for Foreign Service candidates
1918
Acquaintance with Bernhard Hoetger
1918/20
Publication of numerous political essays on the future of Germany
1920s
Re-establishment of diplomatic missions and operations, numerous trips worldwide
1920
Foundation of the Angelsachsen-Verlag publishing house
1922
Honorary doctorate from the University of Münster, participation in the Bremen Focke-Wulf aircraft construction works;
Start of restoration of Böttcherstrasse on his initiative and in line with his vision
1929
Development and market launch of KABA instant cocoa
Early 1930s
Onset of a serious illness that paralysed his activities towards the end of the decade
1931, to mark HAG’s 25th anniversary
Completion of Böttcherstrasse with Robinson Crusoe House (designed by Roselius himself)
1933
Ardent supporter of the NSDAP’s takeover of power
Oct. 1933
Appeal to his staff to vote for the Führer in the (last) election
1933 and 1934
“Call” to the First and Second “Nordic Thing” in Böttcherstrasse
1934
Amputation of a leg
1935
Publication of the Deutsche Kunst portfolio collection
1936
Reaction to the intensification of National Socialists’ attacks on Böttcherstrasse
From 1942
In Berlin full-time
15 May 1943
Died in Berlin
Source: Tallasch/Bölts 2011