Abstract This article introduces and presents the letters from Otto Weinreich to Georg Wissowa written between 1913 and 1924. They offer glimpses into the academic world before the Great War. Initiating his career Weinreich was looking for a subject, for a mentor, and for a job in 1913. He made career like his peers step by step. In 1914 he got his chance to attain the habilitation at Halle (Saale). But the outbreak of war changed everyone’s life. Some of the younger scholars joined up the army, others had to follow during the next months or years. Only the few among them who were exempt from military service could make a classic career. When the combatants returned in 1919, they had to close a gap of some years. Meanwhile,Weinreich changed the place three times: to Tübingen, Jena and Heidelberg. At the beginning ofWeimar Republic, he had established himself as professor. He was author, editor of the Archiv für Religionswissenschaft and Religionsgeschichtliche Versuche und Vorarbeiten and contributor. He and his old mentorWissowa recalled the good old days.The letters raise several issues: Did the war further Weinreich’s career? Or did he just seize the opportunity? Had he been considered as the „rising talent“ supported by teachers like Richard Wünsch, Franz Boll, and Wissowa? Could the letters be seen as a kind of witness for fallen and surviving colleagues, for war and post-war misery, for the struggle for existence and the success of scientific work?
