One hundred years after the birth of Anton Dohrn, his biography was compiled by Theodor Heuss, first president of the Federal Republic of Germany and a friend of the Dohrn family. Heuss not only conveys the family history of this great scientist, but also interweaves scientific and cultural history into his narrative. As a result a fascinating yet true story which provides insight into the cultural, political and scientific life in both Germany and Italy at the turn of the century has been created. "Anton Dohrn (1840-1909) was founder of the once world-famous zoological station at Naples, 'a permanent international congress of zoologists' ...written as a classic 'life and letters', "A" "Life for" "Science."..gives an excellent description of an interesting scientist in touch with the leading biologists of his time." (Arch. of Natural History)

May 2009 sees the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Basic Law (Constitution) of the Federal Republic of Germany. To mark this occasion, the Foundation is publishing two keynote speeches which Theodor Heuss delivered before the Parliamentary Council. His opening speech on 9th September 1948 and his final speech on 8th May 1949 are key markers for his active commitment to the work of this constituent assembly. An essay by Prof. Jutta Limbach, former President of the Federal Constitutional Court, completes the volume.

From the beginning it was a key priority of the first president of the Federal Republic of Germany to reply personally to many of the hundreds of letters he received every day from individual citizens. In Heuss' correspondence with them, important themes of postwar society in the context of collapse and reconstruction, restoration and new beginning are evident. Heuss' letters were friendly in tone and written specifically to each individual. Often quite humorous, they sometimes tended to be lecturesome and contentious. The letters provide insight into how Heuss perceived his office, and his stance set an example for his successors. Contains letters from citizens and Heuss' replies As political dialogue between individual citizens and the first president of the Federal Republic of Germany, the correspondence provides insight into German postwar society.

Theodor Heuss assumed his second term of office as President of Germany in September 1954 under propitious circumstances: He was re-elected by an overwhelming majority in the Federal Assembly, and enjoyed surprisingly broad public approval. His non-partisan style of leadership allowed him to win the support of Germany s citizenry for key political decisions. As a representative abroad he presented Germany in a new light, showcasing it as a decidedly democratic, peaceful, and civil society."