Hannah Arendt Biography and Timeline

Birth of Hannah Arendt

Hannah Arendt was born in Linden and became a major political theorist.

Begins Studies at Marburg

Arendt began studying philosophy at the University of Marburg.

Studies with Martin Heidegger

Arendt studied with Martin Heidegger and became interested in existential philosophy.

Studies with Edmund Husserl

Arendt studied philosophy at Freiburg under Edmund Husserl.

Doctorate Under Karl Jaspers

Arendt completed her doctorate at Heidelberg under Karl Jaspers.

Love and Saint Augustine

Arendt published her dissertation on the concept of love in Augustine's thought.

Marriage to Gunther Stern

Arendt married philosopher Günther Stern, later known as Günther Anders.

Leaves Nazi Germany

Arendt fled Germany following Nazi persecution and continued political work in exile.

Refugee Assistance in Paris

Arendt worked with organizations helping Jewish young people emigrate.

German Citizenship Revoked

Arendt lost German citizenship under Nazi rule and remained stateless for years.

Marriage to Heinrich Blucher

Arendt married Heinrich Blücher while living in France.

Arrival in New York

Arendt reached the United States and began building an intellectual career in exile.

Writes for Aufbau

Arendt contributed political essays to the German Jewish newspaper Aufbau.

We Refugees

Arendt published We Refugees, a powerful reflection on displacement and identity.

Research on European Antisemitism

Arendt investigated antisemitism and imperialism while developing her work on totalitarianism.

What Is Existential Philosophy

Arendt published an essay assessing developments in continental existentialist philosophy.

Jewish Cultural Reconstruction Work

Arendt worked to recover and preserve European Jewish cultural materials after the war.

Visits Postwar Europe

Arendt returned to Europe and examined its political and cultural reconstruction.

Renewed Correspondence with Jaspers

Arendt renewed close intellectual exchanges with her former mentor Karl Jaspers.

Origins of totalitarianism

Publication of "Origins of totalitarianism"

Becomes American Citizen

Arendt became a United States citizen after years of exile and statelessness.

Ideology and Terror

Arendt published Ideology and Terror, extending her analysis of totalitarian systems.

Teaching Political Philosophy

Arendt lectured on political philosophy at American universities.

Men in Dark Times Essays

Arendt developed portraits of twentieth century intellectual and moral lives.

The Human Condition

Arendt published The Human Condition, her influential study of labor work and action.

Rahel Varnhagen

Arendt's biography of Rahel Varnhagen was published in German.

Lessing Prize Acceptance Speech

Arendt delivered reflections on humanity in dark times when accepting the Lessing Prize.

Lectures on Political Judgment

Arendt's lectures examined judgment, freedom and the political significance of action.

Between Past and Future

Arendt published Between Past and Future, a collection of essays in political thought.

Witnesses Eichmann Trial

Arendt attended the trial of Adolf Eichmann in Jerusalem as a reporter.

Eichman In Jerusalem

Publication of "On Revolution". Publication of "Eichman In Jerusalem"

On Revolution

Publication of "On Revolution". Publication of "Eichman In Jerusalem"

Television Interview with Gunter Gaus

Arendt discussed philosophy, exile and political responsibility in a major televised interview.

Cornell Lectures on Revolution

Arendt continued teaching and lecturing on revolutionary politics and public freedom.

Truth and Politics

Arendt published Truth and Politics, examining factual truth and political life.

Men in Dark Times

Arendt published Men in Dark Times, a collection of biographical and critical essays.

Crises of the Republic Essays

Arendt wrote essays on civil disobedience, political violence and public deception.

On Violence

Publishes On Violence

Role range: 1975

Thinking and Moral Considerations

Arendt published Thinking and Moral Considerations, reflecting on conscience and judgment.

Crises of the Republic

Arendt published Crises of the Republic, collecting essays on contemporary politics.