Paul Deussen

Paul Deussen was a German Indologist and professor of philosophy at the University of Kiel. Born on January 7, 1845, in Oberdreis, Rhine Province, he was deeply influenced by Arthur Schopenhauer and Immanuel Kant. Deussen was also a friend of Friedrich Nietzsche and Swami Vivekananda. His academic career included positions as Privatdocent and Extraordinarius at the University of Berlin before becoming an Ordinarius at the University of Kiel in 1889, where he taught until his death on July 6, 1919. Deussen's scholarly work was extensive, focusing on Indian philosophy, particularly the Vedanta and Upanishads. He translated key texts like the Sutra of the Vedanta and the Philosophy of the Upanishads. In recognition of his admiration for Sanskrit, he Sanskritised his name to Deva-Sena. Deussen was a pivotal figure in the Western academic study of Hinduism and Sanskrit, alongside other prominent European scholars. He founded the Schopenhauer Society in 1911 and served as the first editor of the Schopenhauer Yearbook. His visit to India in 1904 resulted in his book "My Indian Reminiscences." Deussen's significant works include "The Elements of Metaphysics," "Das System des Vedânta," and "Sechzig Upanishad's des Veda."