Annotation of Nietzsche´s adolescent writings, 1852-1864

We apply for funding of a pre-doc position for three years as an assistant to the project of editing the Nachberichtsband (supplementary volume containing commentary, annotations and further documents) for Volumes 1-3 of the first section of the historical-critical edition of the works of Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (KGW I, 1-3, containing the main part of the conserved writings of Nietzsche from the period of 1852-1864) and for travel- expenses to doe research at the Goethe-Schiller-Archiv and the Anna-Amalia-Bibliothek of the Stiftung Weimarer Klassik. The work to do comprises: (1) The philological commentary on the texts published in KGW I, vol. 1-3. (2) Annotations referring to the social and historical background of the documents published as well as to the sources used by the young Nietzsche. (3) Publishing of the writings from that period, that due to their character have not been published among the "works" of the young philosopher, but are of interest for Nietzsche-scholars as well as for scholars from other fields of study. The latter records are not only documents of Nietzsche`s education at the Naumburg Domgymnasium and Schulpforta, but also constitute important sources for the history of education in the middle of the 19th century. The applicant is a member of the editorial board of the edtion and has been the main researcher involved in publishing the three volumes to be commented. A detailed work-plan has been scheduled and copies of most of the documents to be transcribed or commented are already in possession of the applicant. The work will be conducted in its main part at the Institute for the Study of Religions at the Faculty of Catholic Theology of the University of Vienna, but extended stays in Weimar will be needed mainly in order to control the work done by using the original manuscripts.

With the publication of the commentary to Friedrich Nietzsches Juvenilia (KGW I/6,1) in the year 2016 work on this part of the historical-critical edition of Nietzsches writings will be finished. It provides detailed information on the manuscripts edited in KGW I, 1-3 and their history. Furthermore, it documents higher education in Germany during the second half of the 19th century.