Fritz Lau

Fritz Lau (1872–1966) was Low German writer, playwright and lyricist.^[1]

Gravestone of Fritz Lau in Glückstadt cemetery

Life

Fritz Lau was born on 10 August 1872 in the fishing village of Möltenort near the north German city port of Kiel.^[2] His father was a mariner^[2] and often away from home. According to Lau, his mother was a good storyteller, who also regaled Klaus Groth with her stories when he occasionally stopped by.^[3] Lau went to school in Altheikendorf^[2] and, at the age of 17, he entered the postal service where,^[2] after an initial job as an assistant in the Kiel area, he worked in many parts of Germany. He lived in Glückstadt from 1898^[2] and retired in 1923. In his free time he was a writer in the Low German dialect. Publishing very little during the Nazi era, he released a final collection of stories in 1962: Wat löppt de Tiet. Utsöcht Vertellen.^[1] He died on 5 July 1966 in Glückstadt.

On 16 May 1955, the town of Glückstadt made him an honorary citizen.^[4] In his honour, his study was faithfully recreated in the Detlefsen Museum in Glückstadt.

Distinctions and honours

• 1955 honorary citizen of Glückstadt^[4]
• In Glückstadt the square of Fritz-Lau-Platz is named after him.
• In Uetersen and Moorrege there are roads called Fritz-Lau-Weg; in Kiel (1966), Büdelsdorf, Heikendorf, Marne and Schenefeld there are roads called Fritz-Lau-Straße named after him.

Works

• Johann un Trina up Reisen. Schwank in 1 Aufzug. H. Lühr & Dircks, Garding [1910].
• Brandung. Geschichten von de Waterkant. H. Lühr & Dircks, Garding 1913.^[5]
• Sein Wunsch. In: Die Heimat. December 1914. 24th Year. No. 12. Hamburg 1914, p. 313. digital copy
• Ost un West. H. Lühr & Dircks, Garding 1915.
• Helden to Hus. M. Glogau, Hamburg 1915.^[6]
• Sinen ersten Breef. In: Die Heimat. August 1915 25th Year. No. 8, Hamburg 1915. digital copy
• Fief Jahr Tuchthus. In: Hauskalender für den Kreis Plön 1915. Kaven, Plön 1915. digital copy
• In Luv un Lee. M. Glogau, Hamburg 1916.^[7]
• Sünn achter de Wolken. H. Lühr & Dircks, Garding 1918.
• Elsbe. Ein Stück Minschenleben. M. Glogau, Hamburg 1918.^[8]
• De Notflagg. In: Sonderabdruck aus der Wochenschrift Zeitspiegel, hrsg. von Johannes John, Flensburg. Nr. 15, vom 22. November 1919. digital copy
• Katenlüd. H. Lühr & Dircks, Garding 1920. (M. Glogau, Hamburg 1921)^[9]
• Kopp hoch. M. Glogau, Hamburg 1921.^[10]
• Drees Dreesen, Een Stück Minschenleben. M. Glogau, Hamburg 1924.
• So is dat Leben! M. Glogau, Hamburg 1926.
• Ünner 'n Tüffel. En vergnögt Spillwark in cen' Törn. Lühr & Dircks, Garding [1926].
• Ebb un Flot. Glück un Not. M. Glogau, Hamburg 1926.^[11]
• Kinneland. Plattdeutsche Erzählungen. Belz, Langensalza 1927.
• Lach mit! M. Glogau, Hamburg 1929.
• Wat mi so öwer'n Weg löp. M. Glogau, Hamburg 1932.
• Von em un ehr! M. Glogau, Hamburg 1932.
• Jungs un Deerns von de Waterkant. Kurze Geschichten. Otto Meißner, Hamburg 1933.
• Wie möt dor henlank. M. Glogau, Hamburg 1934.
• Wat mi so öwer'n Weg löp. M. Glogau, Hamburg 1949.
• Wat löppt de Tiet. Utsöcht Vertellen. Zum 90. Geburtstag von Fritz Lau. Fehrs-Gilde, Hamburg-Wellingsbüttel 1962.
• De besten Geschichten von Fritz Lau. 31 Geschichten aus 11 Bänden seines gesamten Werkes ausgesucht, ed. by Erich Könnecke. Glogau, Hamburg 1981.