Hermann Josef Ludwig Roth (pseudonym: Antonius R.; author abbreviation: HJR) (b. 2 January 1938 at Montabaur) is a German theologian and scientist, cultural historian and historian of science, educator and monument preservation and nature conservation activist. He is a specialist in the area of mediaeval reform movements and is considered today’s foremost expert on the geography of the Rhineland region and on the life and work of the naturalist, Prince Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied, and his circle.
Education and career
Hermann Roth was born at Montabaur, Germany, the son of Landrat Heinrich Roth and his wife, Gertrud, née Ebert. From 1957 onwards, having completed his grammar school studies (examinations in advanced Greek, Latin and Hebrew), he initially lived as a Cistercian monk and was enrolled at the Heiligenkreuz Philosophical-Theological Institute (near Vienna). Following ordination as a priest (Frankfurt, 1963) he was active in the youth and community ministries of Marienstatt Abbey and at its grammar school.
From 1966, he studied biology and chemistry and auxiliary sciences (physics, palaeontology), passed both state examinations for academic teaching qualification (1970, 1972) and taught at a grammar school in Cologne. He assisted from time to time in the parish, youth and aged ministries. In 1991, Cologne‘s regional chief executive appointed Roth head of the advanced education division of the biology department; from 1995, he was director of studies. In 1990, Roth obtained a doctorate in natural sciences from the University of Nijmegen.
Nature
Having become familiar early on with the natural surroundings of his birthplace, Roth worked toward a systematic registration of the geological and biological features of the Rhineland highlands and contributed to the Floristic Mapping of Central Europe project (1971–1988). He is considered the ”foremost expert on the Westerwald.“ Roth’s comprehensive study of this region called for an interdisciplinary type of enquiry, an approach which he subsequently applied to other topics, as well. A prime example of this is his analysis of the floral architectural sculpture of Gothic monuments (Altenberger Dom, 1976; Cologne Cathedral, 1990) under the aspects of botany and art history, resulting in “a brilliant documentation” and an “exemplary scholarly interpretation.“
Generally speaking, Roth’s consistent aim has been to see scientific knowledge in the contexts of intellectual and social history: e.g., evolution in the light of the field of tension between knowledge and belief; ecological theories and ethical postulates versus the variety of ‘natural’ observation.
Since his school days, Roth has been active in the area of nature conservation and has on a pro bono basis held important positions in relevant associations and commissions. For some years, he ran the Biological Station, Bergisches Land. Since 1975, he has been a member of various advisory panels on local geography at both the community and state levels.
Culture
Roth’s encounter with the Cistercians led to his search for the grave of Otto of Freising (1114–1158) at Morimond (1963). In 1979, Roth founded the international Carthusian Colloquia. Most recently, he worked toward restoring the popularity of Alanus ab insulis (Alain de Lille, d. 1203), including amongst those outside anthroposophical circles.
Concerning Roth, Peter Finke has concluded that: Roth’s work as a member of the Research Group for Monastic Medicine at the University of Würzburg (for which he even did research in Brazil) and his contribution to the monastic cultural landscape research programme at the Centre for Garden Art and Landscape Architecture (CGL) of Hannover’s Leibniz University (which centre was established on his own initiative) both exemplify this interdisciplinary approach.
Roth has been elected or appointed to numerous panels, including the Historic Commission for Nassau (since 1978) and the North Rhine-Westphalia Foundation for Nature Conservation and the Local History and Culture of Düsseldorf (1994–2000).
The Americas
In the Americas, in particular Roth’s activities in the fields of the history of science and monastic medicine have led to close personal and academic connections and, in turn, to several publications.
United States
Roth’s research into Gothic architectural sculpture and the history and culture of the Cistercians led to invitations from Western Michigan University to participate in the International Congress on Medieval Studies at Kalamazoo, at which event he has delivered several papers.