Karl Mannheim and Hans Gerth

Abstract

This paper deals with personal and human aspects of the relationship between Karl Mannheim and Hans Gerth based primarily on various correspondence I have in my possession. The correspondence left between Gerth and his teacher Karl Mannheim is rather limited. There are only eight letters from Mannheim and two from Gerth dating from December 1937 to July 1946. I have some exchange of letters between Gerth and third parties relating to Mannheim. I have also relied on some of the letters contained in a volume of correspondence to and from Mannheim covering the period between 1911–1946 published by the Lukács Archiv in Hungary (Gabor 1996). Although some letters of Mannheim to Gerth, as well as quite a few letters to someone else referring to Gerth, are included, no letter of Gerth exists in this volume. Was he one of those students who fit the adage: “the best students are the least grateful ones?” Despite the scarcity of correspondence, there is ample evidence that their relationship was cordial and warm.