Dr. Amo's Lonely Planet by Jojo Cobbinah

Author:Jojo Cobbinah
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Ghana, Dr. Anton Wilhelm Amo, slave
Publisher: pmv Peter Meyer Verlag, Germany
Published: 2015-12-08T00:00:00+00:00

III-36: Masterly Ambitions at the University of Halle

Anton Wilhelm Amo, a first cycle graduate of Helmstedt, moved to pursue further studies in Halle on the 8th of June 1727. On that very day August-Hermann Francke, founder of the Pietist vocational community in Halle, died. It was a coincidence but the fact left many observers wondering if it was a bad omen. And if yes, bad for whom?

The African arrived in Halle armed with the personal approval of the Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel, who had excellent contacts to many of the prominent lecturers in Halle. These had promised to pave the way for a smooth enrolment of the Moor. Seasoned men like the former Chancellor of the University, Professor Johann Peter von Ludewig and the distinguished Professor Christian Thomasius were among the most ardent supporters of Amo’s admission to Halle.

Even during the drab winter months of grey skies, frequent rains and blizzards, Halle was a busy commercial town with a large population and buoyant economy. All indications showed that life here would be exciting.

Thanks to the Duke’s excellent contacts, Amo easily secured a second-floor flat in a house overlooking the River Saale. For more independence, he decided to cook for himself, which he did on a little coal heater tucked in one corner of his room. He cooked meals on the upper part that served as a stove and provided all the warmth he needed in the long winter months.

Though already in retirement at the time of Amo’s début in Halle, Professor Thomasius helped him to find an able mentor and teacher in the person of Professor Johann Peter von Ludewig, who gave the newcomer all the counsel and guidance the ambitious young man required in order to progress smoothly.

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