Arguably one of Australia’s greatest mysteries, the disappearance of Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig Leichhardt and exploration team 1848.
Leichhardt from the beginning.
Born in Sabrodt / Trebatsch in the Spreewald district formerly in Prussia, south-east of Berlin on the 23rd of October 1813, the sixth child of Charlotte Sophie (Straehlow) and Royal Peat Inspector Christian Hieronymus Matthias Leichhardt. The general location formerly known as Mittlmark of Brandenburg, Prussia is divided by the river Spree, now Oder-Spree district, Brandenburg, Germany. Leichhardts early classical education began under a tutor in a boarding school in Zaue adjacent to the Schwielochsee.
From there he went to high school at Friedrich Wilhelms Gymnasium in Cotbuss where his brother in law Carl Friedrich Schmalfuss was a music and drawing teacher (more on Schmalfuss later).
At the Cottbus Gymnasium Leichhardt learnt foundation subjects of Greek, Latin, English, French, German Language and literature, Hebrew, Philosophy, Religion, History, Mathematics, Physics, Natural History, Geography, and Political economy. This period is significant as Ludwig blossomed in many ways receiving “excellent distinction in some subjects” paving the way to University. Leichhardt matriculates at the Cottbus Gymnasium November 6th 1831. Leichhardt then went to the Faculty of Philosophy at Friedrich Wilhelms University now Humbolt University, Berlin studying Philosophy under Prof Franz Bopp. In 1832 he transferred to the Georg August University in Göttingen for a year matriculating 28th October 1833.
At university in Göttingen studying under Ewald, Muller, Primm, Blumenbach, Bartling, Webber and Herbart he met the Englishmen John Nicholson (who studied medicine before changing to linguistics), John Nicholson was instrumental in influencing Leichhardt in the natural sciences, at that time biological sciences were taught in medical schools so in September 1834 Leichhardt returned to Berlin to the Faculty of Medicine. In April 1835 Leichhardt meets the younger brother of John Nicholson a “William Alleyne Nicholson”
At this point in time his character was academically described as reserved, peaceable and docile yet he also questioned his peers which derived the opinion of “lack of moral feeling”. More on this later however its an early and significant statement by his university Professors which has significant implications in Europe as in Australia.
By the age of 21 Leichhardt declared himself a nonconformist, leading a life of study he virtually lived a paupers life on meagre support from his father until he met his benefactor William Nicholson.
F.W.L Leichhardt’s family.
Father: Christian Hieronymus Matthias Leichhardt- Torfmeister.
Mother: Charlotte Sophie (Straehlow)
Married 1801/2.
1. Daughter: Friederica Charlotta Augusta LEICHHARDT b. Oct 2nd 1802
2. Son: August Friedrich Reimund LEICHHARDT b. 9th August 1804.
3. Daughter: Wilhelmine Philippine Charlotte LEICHHARDT b. 10th July 1806
4. Son: Gustav Adolph Hermann LEICHHARDT b. 8th August 1808.
5. Daughter: Caroline Charlotte Henriette LEICHHARDT b. 14th April 1811
6. Son: Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig LEICHHARDT b. 23rd october 1813.
7. Son- Julius LEICHHARDT b. 10th July 1815.
8. Son: Mathilde LEICHHARDT b. 29th July 1817.
9. Son: Friedrich Wilhelm_Heinrich Adolph LEICHHARDT b. 28th July 1819.
* Christian Leichhardt’s second wife: Married 1829, Dorothea Sophia (Dorchen) Hilgenfeld.
1.* X X X Leichhardt 4th October 1841
It was at University where Ludwig met a wide range of students, lecturers and subject matter that
started his life long journey of personal development, learning, exploration, relationships and in the end
success in Australia albeit at considerable cost to human capital and his death in 1848 or beyond.