Karl Giese

Karl Giese
Max Reiss · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Karl Giese
Birth date	1898
Birth place	Danzig
Death date	1938
Death place	Paris
Occupation	Sexologist, Archivist
Known for	Institute for Sexual Science

Karl Giese was a close associate of Magnus Hirschfeld, a renowned Sexologist and founder of the Institute for Sexual Science in Berlin. Giese worked alongside Hirschfeld, contributing to the development of the institute and its Sexology research. He was also an avid Archivist, responsible for maintaining the institute's extensive collection of Sexology-related materials, including works by Sigmund Freud, Richard von Krafft-Ebing, and Havelock Ellis. Giese's work with Hirschfeld and the institute brought him into contact with other notable figures, such as Albert Einstein, Thomas Mann, and Bertolt Brecht.

● Early Life and Education

Karl Giese was born in Danzig in 1898, and his early life was marked by a strong interest in Sexology and Psychology. He studied at the University of Berlin, where he was exposed to the works of Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, and other prominent Psychologists. Giese's education also included studies at the University of Munich, where he was influenced by the ideas of Max Weber and Georg Simmel. During his time at university, Giese became acquainted with the works of Oscar Wilde, André Gide, and other notable LGBTQ+ figures, which further solidified his interest in Sexology.

● Career

Giese's career was deeply intertwined with his work at the Institute for Sexual Science, where he served as an Archivist and Researcher. He worked closely with Magnus Hirschfeld to develop the institute's research programs, which focused on Sexology, Psychology, and Sociology. Giese's work also brought him into contact with other notable researchers, such as Eugen Steinach, Bernhard Schapiro, and Leontine Sagan. The institute's research was widely recognized, and Giese's contributions were acknowledged by prominent figures, including Albert Einstein, who was a supporter of the institute's work.

● Personal Life

Giese's personal life was marked by his close relationship with Magnus Hirschfeld, with whom he shared a deep commitment to Sexology and LGBTQ+ rights. Giese was also an avid collector of Art and Literature, and his personal collection included works by Oscar Wilde, André Gide, and Marcel Proust. He was known to frequent Café des Westens in Berlin, where he would engage in discussions with other intellectuals, including Bertolt Brecht, Kurt Weill, and Ernst Toller. Giese's personal life was also influenced by his interest in Psychology and Philosophy, and he was particularly drawn to the ideas of Friedrich Nietzsche and Arthur Schopenhauer.

● Relationship with Magnus Hirschfeld

Giese's relationship with Magnus Hirschfeld was deeply personal and professional. The two men shared a commitment to Sexology and LGBTQ+ rights, and they worked closely together to develop the Institute for Sexual Science. Hirschfeld was a mentor and friend to Giese, and their relationship was marked by a deep mutual respect. Giese was also a key figure in Hirschfeld's personal life, and he played an important role in supporting Hirschfeld's work and legacy. The two men were also connected through their shared interests in Art and Literature, and they would often attend performances at the Deutsches Theater in Berlin, where they would see productions of plays by Bertolt Brecht and Ernst Toller.

● Legacy

Karl Giese's legacy is deeply intertwined with that of Magnus Hirschfeld and the Institute for Sexual Science. His contributions to the field of Sexology and LGBTQ+ rights are still recognized today, and his work continues to influence researchers and activists around the world. Giese's legacy is also marked by his commitment to Archivism and Preservation, and his work in maintaining the institute's collection of Sexology-related materials has ensured that these important resources remain available to future generations. Giese's life and work have been recognized by organizations such as the International Society for the History of Medicine and the World Health Organization, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of researchers and activists, including those at the Kinsey Institute and the Williams Institute. Category:Sexologists