Zamenhof led an eventful life: Born on 15 December 1859 in Białystok, situated on Polish territory today, the son of a Jewish family witnessed already at an early age the conflict of the various population groups, which, due to different languages and the resulting communication difficulties, did not live together peacefully. Motivated by the desire to put an end to these misunderstandings, he developed a consciously constructed language already during his years at school and later on, while studying medicine. He published the language in 1887, which became widely known quickly under the pseudonym Dr. Esperanto that he was using.

Virtual exhibition
Ludwik Lejzer Zamenhof – Founder of the constructed language "Esperanto"

The Bayerische Staatsbibliothek holds a rich collection of literature about and in the language Esperanto and about further constructed languages. The extensive collection of materials on constructed languages given to the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek by the couple Haupenthal years ago merits special mention in this context.