Estate of Kurt Bigler (formerly known as Kurt Bergheimer)

Collection

Holding institution:: Archives of Contemporary History at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich

Holding institution (official language):: Archiv für Zeitgeschichte der ETH Zürich

Scope and content:: The biographical focus of the collection is on Kurt Bigler's early life until the 1960s. It is extensively documented in diaries, life stories and letters. Further focal points are his journalistic activities with an extensive collection of press articles, interviews, etc. as well as his teaching activities, which are mainly documented in photographs. The collection contains a large number of photo albums and jumbled photos documenting Kurt Bigler's various life stations and activities.

Archival history:: The collection was transferred to the AfZ by Margrith Bigler-Eggenberger, widow of Kurt Bigler, in several partial deliveries between 2007 and 2010. Almost all photo albums and photos include personal details including place and date in the form of handwritten entries by Kurt and/or Margrith Bigler-Eggenberger. In many cases, Margrith Bigler-Eggenberger supplemented or extended missing or existing information, through notes next to the photos or enclosed notes. A document including additional information on photos, which Margrith Bigler-Eggenberger personally provided when delivering the material, can be viewed at the AfZ upon request. Individual letters from Kurt Bigler's private correspondence have also been annotated by Margrith Bigler-Eggenberger with information on persons, dates, and context.

Administrative/biographical history:: Kurt Bigler was born in Radevormwald, Germany, as Kurt Wolf on 13 December 1925 and died in Lausanne on 18 July 2007. His mother’s maiden name was Marta [Martha] Wolf. Bigler was adopted in 1928 by Josef Bergheimer, a businessman, and Emilie, née Bloch. In 1950, Bigler was adopted once again, this time by Berta Bigler, a teacher. In 1959, Kurt Bigler married Margrith Eggenberger. Between 1932 and 1936, Bigler attended primary school and between 1936 and 1940 the Jewish school in Mannheim. In 1940, he was deported to the Gurs internment camp in Southern France and in 1941 to camp Rivesaltes. In October 1941, he escaped to the Château de Chaumont in North-West France with the help of the Oeuvre de secours aux enfants juifs (OSE). In September 1942, Bigler escaped to Switzerland. Between 1943 and 1945, he was held in various refugee and labour camps, including Davesco. From 1945, he attended the commercial school in Zurich. From 1948 to 1953, Bilger studied German, History, and History of Art and earned a PhD at the University of Bern. In 1954, Bilger became a Swiss citizen. In 1946, he began working as a journalist; from the 1950s, he was also politically active for the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland (SPS) and held various public offices and memberships in committees and commissions (local councillor of Ins, Canton of Bern, local court Erlach, district court Rorschach, university council of St. Gallen, Swiss Radio and TV).

Subject terms:: Education; Education--Teachers and professors; Personal records; Professions; Professions--Journalists

Author of the description:: Severin Holzknecht; Jewish Museum of Hohenems; 2019