Andreas Felix von Oefele
An 18th-century Bavarian scholar who preserved fragile manuscripts and crafted meticulous histories from dusty archives.
1706–1780 (age 74)·German historian and librarian·Birthday: May 17
Biography
In the world of Enlightenment-era Germany, Andreas Felix von Oefele operated not as a flashy philosopher but as a foundational curator of knowledge. Appointed court historian and librarian in Munich, his life was spent among parchment and ink. His great work was a two-volume history of the Bavarian rulers, a project demanding years of painstaking research in often disorganized or decaying records. Beyond writing, his stewardship of the ducal library was vital, protecting and organizing collections that were vulnerable to neglect. His legacy is that of a meticulous academic bridge, translating the raw documents of the past into structured narratives for his contemporaries and future scholars.
#1 When Andreas Was Born
The biggest hits of 1706
Andreas's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1706Born
1711Started school
1719Became a teenager
1722Could drive
1724Could vote
1727Turned 21
1736Turned 30
1746Turned 40
1756Turned 50
1766Turned 60
1776Turned 70
1780Died at 74
Key Achievements
- Authored the two-volume "History of the Bavarian Rulers from the House of Wittelsbach," a key 18th-century historical work.
- Served as the official Court Historian to the Duke of Bavaria.
- Held the position of head librarian at the Ducal Library in Munich, safeguarding important collections.
Did You Know?
He was a member of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences.
His personal library and manuscript collection, amassed over a lifetime, was substantial and highly regarded.
The historian Johann Georg von Lori was one of his notable students.
“The truth of history lies in the careful examination of its original documents.”
