Theologia Germanica: Modern English Edition

Apr 2010 · Scriptoria Books

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The Theologia Germanica is believed to have been written around 1350, by a priest in the house of the Teutonic order in Frankfort, Germany.  The author may have been associated with the "Friends of God," led by Dominicans, John Tauler and Blessed Henry Suso.  This book came to the attention of Martin Luther, and he is credited with giving the treatise its modern name.  Written over a century before Luther's time, its theology draws upon the Latin Christianity of the Rhineland.  The Theologia Germanica has appeared in many editions and languages over its 600-year history, and has taken its place beside the Imitation of Christ, in literature of devotion.  

Susanna Winkworth (1820-1884), translated the most complete version of the Theologia Germanica known, based on the Wurtzburg Manuscript, discovered in the 19th century.  Her translation, first published in 1854, includes additional passages not found in the editions made popular by Martin Luther.  

In this Modern English Edition of the Theologia Germanica from Scriptoria Books, only obsolete, archaic, and poetic words have been edited.  The grammar and syntax of Susanna Winkworth's original translation from the German manuscript, have been preserved.  This creates an edition that is true to the composition of the original translation, while providing a more-modern easier-reading text.

Scriptoria Books has transcribed this edition from the original text. It was then edited, formatted, and proofread through each revision. Our procedures are not automated. Our editions are not facsimiles and do not contain OCR interpreted text. Our books are carefully created new editions of classic works.

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Susanna Winkworth (1820-1884), author and translator, was born in London on 13 Aug. 1820, and educated through governesses at home. Her younger sister Catherine was also a translator, and was known for her work on German hymns. In 1854 Susanna published perhaps her most noted work, her translation of the Theologia Germanica.  Among her other works include the Life of Luther (1855), Signs of the Times (1856), Tauler's Sermons (1857), German Love from the Papers of an Alien (1858), and the three volume set God in History (1868-70).

Miss Winkworth was a philanthropist as well. She worked among the poor and was the first in Bristol to address the problem of housing for the needy. She also took a great interest in the education of women, and in 1878 succeeded her sister Catherine as governor of the Red Maids' school, and member of the council of Cheltenham Ladies' College. Susanna Winkworth died on 25 Nov. 1884.

--Dictionary of National Biography