German Immigrants in Edinburgh and Leith, 1862–1914

By (author) Larah Wessendorf

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Extent: 261 pages

Publisher: Duncker & Humblot

Subjects: Anthropology, Cultural Studies, Social Sciences 

Series: Prinz-Albert-Forschungen - Prince Albert Research Publications. Neue Folge

Series volume number: 4

Language: English

Hardback (Published)

(September 2025)

ISBN: 9783428195268

6.18 x 9.17 inches

Price: $127.00

In stock

The study provides an introductory overview of the German community in Edinburgh and Leith. It examines how the German immigrants were ethnically organised and which different professions they pursued. It also focusses on the individual immigrant and their biography.


English summary: The study provides an introductory overview of the German community in Edinburgh and Leith. It examines how the German immigrants were ethnically organised and which different professions they pursued. It also focusses on the individual immigrant and their biography. German description: This study is the first to provide an introductory overview of the history of German immigrants in Edinburgh and Leith between 1862 and 1914, documenting the origins, social organisation and professional activities of German immigrants based on sources that have not yet been fully analysed. The focus is on the foundation and development of the German Evangelical Church in Edinburgh and Leith, which served as a cultural centre for the Germans living in Edinburgh and the surrounding area, as well as the German Seamen’s Mission on the Firth of Forth, which was affiliated to the church. Secondly, the German immigrants themselves, whose exemplary biographies provide an insight into the lives and professions they pursued in Edinburgh and Leith. The study shows that it was not only economic motives that led to migration, but above all family motives in the form of chain migration. With the outbreak of the First World War, the German community in Edinburgh and Leith disintegrated and only began to re-form at the end of the Second World War.

A. German Emigration in the Nineteenth Century
Emigration Patterns – Political Refugees from the German Revolution 1848/1849

B. The German Evangelical Church for Edinburgh and Leith (1862–1914)
The Beginnings of the German Evangelical Church for Edinburgh and Leith: Pastor
Theodore Jonas Meyer (1818–1896) – Pastor John Blumenreich (1823–1884) – Pastor Karl
Wagner-Groben (1836–1886) – Pastor Martin Locher (1862–1951) – Pastor Hermann Wilm
(1865–1942) – Pastor Martin Langenau (1863–1935) – Pastor Friedrich Ringshausen
(1874–1920) and Pastor Friedrich Reimer (1876–1945) – Pastor Ernst Albrecht
(1879–1931) – Pastor Curt Planer (1884–1965)

C. German Seamen’s Mission at the Firth of Forth (1885–1914)

D. German Consular Representation in Edinburgh and Leith
German Consular Representation in Edinburgh and Leith in the Nineteenth Century –
Consular Representation in Edinburgh and Leith for the Hanseatic Cities, the North
German Confederation, and Imperial Germany – Consul Adolph Robinow (1806–1885) –
Consuls Hugo Friedrich Knoblauch (1839–1923) and Louis William Knoblauch (1873–1950)
E. Germans in Edinburgh and Leith and their Professions
Germans in the Hospitality and Delicatessen Business – German Pork Butchers –
Wandering Musicians of Western Palatinate – German Sugar Bakers – German Glass Bottle
Blowers – German Black Forest Clockmakers – German Hairdressers – Germans at the
University of Edinburgh – Astronomy – The German Governess

F. Conclusion

  • By (author) Larah Wessendorf