1877–1894
Childhood and Youth

«So it was, already during childhood: nothing is given for free, everything must be gained.»

1877

Hermann Hesse is born in Calw upon Nagold, (Württemberg) on July 2nd. His father Johannes Hesse (1847–1916) is a missionary from Estonia, his mother Marie, widow Isenberg, née Gundert, is the daughter of the famous indologist and missionary Hermann Gundert. Thanks to his father's origins, Hesse has Russian citizenship from birth.

1881–1886

The Hesse family move to Basel, Switzerland, where the father teaches at the Evangelic Mission. Here Hermann Hesse attends the elementary school. In 1883, the whole family receive Swiss citizenship. Because of his rebellious attitude towards his parents's upbringing, Hermann is sent, at the age of six, to a male missionary boarding-school for six months, where he can see his family only on Sundays.

1886

The Hesse family returns to Calw.

1886–1890

Hesse attends elementary and secondary school (Calw's grammar school).

1890–1891

The father acquires the Württemberg citizenship only for his son Hermann, in order to allow him to take the local State Exam. Preparation for the exam at the Grammar School in Göppingen. Hermann no longer lives with his parents.

1891–1892

Hesse attends the Protestant Monastery Seminar in Maulbronn.

March 7/8 1892

He escapes from the boarding-school and is brought back by the police.

1892

May 10 – June 22

Hesse is sent to a psychiatric clinic in Bad Boll.

June 20

He attempts suicide with a gun.

June–September

He is sent to a psychiatric clinic in Stetten.

October 5 – beginning November

Hesse attends the Missionary school in Basel again, and lives in the same boarding-school where he had already been in 1883.

1892–1893

Hesse attends the Grammar School of Cannstatt where he finishes his studies in one year and passes the one year-optional-exam (grammar school-leaving certificate).

1893

In October Hesse begins his book dealer apprenticeship in Esslingen, which he interrupts just after three days.

1893–1894

Hesse lives in Calw with his parents for nine months without a regular job.