Held, Julius 1803-1864

Walter Friedemann (1872-1947) came from a distinguished family in Berlin. His father Julius (Paul) Friedemann as well as his maternal grandfather Moritz Friedheim were consuls to Venezuela. His mother Martha Friedemann (née Friedheim) (1847-1911) was painted by Oskar Begas, a prominent Berlin artist. Walter Friedemann obtained his doctorate in chemistry, but later concentrated on writing and publishing novels, which were moderately successful. He also published theological studies, and wrote poetry (some of which he himself set to music). The Friedemanns lived in Mosbach from about 1926 to 1936. During this time Walter Friedemann struck up a close association with a catholic priest (Franz Roser) in Mosbach, which resulted in Walter's conversion to Roman Catholicism. His wife Betty Friedemann (née Seligmann) (1877-1946) did not share at that time in the conversion. However, after they moved to Paris (and despite some h elp of some clerics of the Roman Catholic hierarchy) she was arrested as a Jew and taken to Drancy. With the help of some influential Catholic clerics Walter managed to get her out, and Betty also converted to Roman Catholicism.

From the guide to the Walter and Betty Friedemann Collection, 1826-1997, (Leo Baeck Institute Archives)