Traugott Hahn (1875-1919)

Traugott Hahn (1875 -1919) was probably the best known of the „Baltic Martyrs“. He was a clergyman, university preacher and professor of practical theology in Dorpat (today Tartu, Estonia).

In recent years, research has focussed predominandy on the history of his influence in Germany, brought about by his martyrdom, after World War 1. Less attention has been paid to the spiritual and theological dimension of Hahn’s ministry, Until now, there has been no major study of the life and work, the spirituality and the theology of Traugott Hahn. This is a gap which the author wishes to fill with the present historical and theological examination.

All existing appraisals of Traugott Hahn are based on the memoir of Hahn’s widow and her edition of his sermons. Given the limited range of sources, this study evaluates for the first time course catalogues ofthe Faculty of Divinity of Dorpat from the years 1893 -1918, articles published in the „Dorpater Zeitung“ from 18th January 1919, letters from Hahn‘ s estate, unpublished sermons and transcripts of his confirmation classes, Hahn was a practical theologian of Lutheran persuasion, a pastor, preacher and religious teacher, whose spiritual vision and clarity opened up deep insights to his congregation and his students. It was the combination of personal piety and theological reflexion which gave Traugott Hahn such unusual charisma.

Lutheran awakening in the people’s church must be seen as the central purpose of Hahn’s theology and his piety.