Review article
https://doi.org/10.21857/m8vqrtq189
Dragutin Lerman in the Požega Period
Maja Žebčević Matić
orcid.org/0000-0003-2841-2093
; Gradski muzej Požega, Požega, Hrvatska
Abstract
The so far acquired knowledge about Dragutin Lerman’s unknown period of life and activity rests exclusively on scarce historical data, and the foreword to Lerman’s Kreševo Diaries, written by Zlata Kolarić Kišur, entitled The Man Who Believed his Good Fortune.
Thanks to a more careful reading of the so far unknown material recently found in a family archive (Lerman’s diaries, letters, etc.); his published diaries – The African Diary and The Kreševo Diaries; the material in custody of the Požega Museum; articles published in the local and national newspapers at the beginning of the 20th century; and the published research by Mira Kolar, we have managed to gain a much clearer picture of Lerman’s business efforts and his family life in Požega.
The paper explains Lerman’s motives for leaving a successful career as the East Kwango General Commissioner in Africa and returning to Požega.
The paper further attempts to clarify the local and national political and social background not only of his success, but also of the complete collapse of his Business ventures in Požega. It moreover endeavours to shed more light on the fact that Lerman, once a successful business man, suddenly became ruined and outcast from the town to the prosperity of which he had dedicated a major part of his life.
The paper may furthermore initiate research of new sources, which could particularly illuminate and offer insight into the still rather obscure years Lerman spent in exile in Europe, and his strivings to find investors for the failing investments in Požega.
Keywords
Dragutin Lerman; Požega; diary; Požega period.
Hrčak ID:
254539
URI
Publication date:
26.4.2021.
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