Rosegger, Peter eigentlich P. Rossegger, auch: P. K. = Petri Kettenfeier, Hans Malser

Rosegger, Peter (real name: P. Rossegger, also P. K. = Petri Kettenfeier, Hans Malser), b. Alpl (municipality of Krieglach, Styria), July 31, 1843, d. Krieglach (Styria), June 26, 1918, narrative writer, poet, journalist, writer of popular stories; father of Hans Ludwig Rosegger. Born of peasant parents in a mountainous region, self-taught, 1865-1869 attended the Academy for Trade and Industry in Graz. First attempts at writing made possible by scholarships, in 1870 published "Zither und Hackbrett" (dialect poetry). Next wrote stories set against a rural background and ethnographic sketches (e.g. "Sittenbilder aus dem steirischen Oberlande", 1870; "Waldheimat", 1877, extended to 4 vols. until 1913/1916), which won R. great popularity. A selection for younger readers called "Als ich noch der Waldbauernbub war" (3 vols., 1899-1902) became one of the bestselling books of the time. 1876 founded the periodical "Heimgarten" (until 1935), which became the forum of his literary and journalistic work. Towards the end of the century his works displayed the increasing influence of the maxims of the Heimatkunst Movement ("Jakob der Letzte", 1889; "Erdsegen", 1900); in his further works antimodernist, German nationalist tendencies became noticeable ("Mein Himmelreich", 1901).

The Protestant church in Mürzzuschlag (1905), the Waldschulhaus school in Alpl (1902) and the Catholic church in St. Kathrein (1902) were constructed on R.'s initiative. His birth place, the school in Alpl and the house in Krieglach where he lived and died are now museums.

Further works: poetry and works in dialect: Tannenharz und Fichtennadeln, 1870; Stoansteirisch, 1885; writings in Styrian dialect. Complete edition in 3 vols., 1895/1896. - Novels: In der Einöde, 1872 (revised "Heidepeters Gabriel", 1882); Die Schriften des Waldschulmeisters, 1875; Der Gottsucher, 1883; Höhenfeuer, 1887; Peter Mayr, der Wirt an der Mahr, 1893; Weltgift, 1903; I. N. R. I., 1905; Die Försterbuben, 1908. - Narratives and sketches: Geschichten aus der Steiermark, 1871; Wanderleben, 1871; Aus dem Walde, 1873; Aus Wäldern und Bergen, 1875; Sonderlinge aus dem Volke der Alpen, 3 vols., 1875; Streit und Sieg. Novellas, 2 vols., 1876; Dt. Geschichtenbuch, 1890. - Drama: Am Tage des Gerichts, 1892. - Essays: Bergpredigten, 1885; Allerlei Menschliches, 1893; Volksreden über Fragen und Klagen, Zagen und Wagen der Zeit, 1908; Heim zur Scholle, 1915. - Editions: Gesammelte Werke (last work published by the author himself), 40 vols., 1913-1916; Gesammelte Werke, ed. by J. Perfahl, 4 vols., 1989; Das Leben in seinen Briefen, ed. by O. Janda, 1943.

Literature: C. Anderle, Der andere R., 1983; K. Wagner, Die literar. Öffentlichkeit der Provinzliteratur. Der Volksschriftsteller P. R., 1991; E. Philippoff, P. R. Dichter der verlorenen Scholle, 1993; G. Schöpfer (ed.), P. R. 1843-1918, exhibition catalogue, Krieglach, Birkfeld, St. Kathrein 1993; W. Schmidt-Dengler (ed.), P. R. im Kontext, 1999.