Goethes Bibliothek. Eine Sammlung und ihre Geschichte

Stefan Hoppner's book is dedicated to Goethe's most important working tool - his library. It is not just one of the most prominent collections of books by a German-language author, but also one of the few authors' libraries from the time around 1800 to have been almost completely preserved. Moreover, its development since Goethe's death is exceptionally well documented. On the basis of partly unpublished archival records, the digital re-cataloging of the books, and Goethe's writing traces in the volumes, this book provides completely new insights into the poet's working methods and networks. The history of his library, however, is also about the later treatment of Weimar Classicism, both in research and in political and cultural institutions from the German Empire to the present.