Born in Tietsch, Saxony, Germany, Otto was the son of David Heller and Emma Feuerloescher.
He attended the University of Prague. He then studied at the Universities of Munich, Vienna and Berlin.
Otto came to the United States in 1883 and worked as a tutor. In 1887, he taught Greek at LaSalle College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Otto received his doctorate from the University of Chicago in 1890 and taught at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for a short time.
In 1892, Otto became a professor of German language and literature at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He married his first wife, Margaret, about 1893, but they had no children.
In 1914, Otto was made a professor of modern European literature in addition to his original professorship. He became the first dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in 1923. He held that position until he became a dean emeritus in 1937.
Otto was a highly respected literature critic and wrote many works himself. His publications included "Henrik Ibsen, Play and Problems," "Studies in Modern Literature," "Prophets of Dissent," "Faust and Faustus" and many others.
Associated with Washington University for 45 years, Otto was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters by the school in 1936. A colleague described him as a man who "served this institution with marked distinction" and as one who "contributed substantially to its growing reputation as a center of higher learning." (H. R. Hohlfeld, University of Wisconsin Press, 1941)
Otto passed away in Forest Home, Antrim County, Michigan at the age of 78 years and 14 days.
He was survived by his second wife, Eugenie S. "Jean" Blair. After her death in 1985, she was buried next to him at Fee Fee Cemetery in Bridgeton, Missouri.
He attended the University of Prague. He then studied at the Universities of Munich, Vienna and Berlin.
Otto came to the United States in 1883 and worked as a tutor. In 1887, he taught Greek at LaSalle College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Otto received his doctorate from the University of Chicago in 1890 and taught at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for a short time.
In 1892, Otto became a professor of German language and literature at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He married his first wife, Margaret, about 1893, but they had no children.
In 1914, Otto was made a professor of modern European literature in addition to his original professorship. He became the first dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in 1923. He held that position until he became a dean emeritus in 1937.
Otto was a highly respected literature critic and wrote many works himself. His publications included "Henrik Ibsen, Play and Problems," "Studies in Modern Literature," "Prophets of Dissent," "Faust and Faustus" and many others.
Associated with Washington University for 45 years, Otto was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters by the school in 1936. A colleague described him as a man who "served this institution with marked distinction" and as one who "contributed substantially to its growing reputation as a center of higher learning." (H. R. Hohlfeld, University of Wisconsin Press, 1941)
Otto passed away in Forest Home, Antrim County, Michigan at the age of 78 years and 14 days.
He was survived by his second wife, Eugenie S. "Jean" Blair. After her death in 1985, she was buried next to him at Fee Fee Cemetery in Bridgeton, Missouri.
Born in Tietsch, Saxony, Germany, Otto was the son of David Heller and Emma Feuerloescher.
He attended the University of Prague. He then studied at the Universities of Munich, Vienna and Berlin.
Otto came to the United States in 1883 and worked as a tutor. In 1887, he taught Greek at LaSalle College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Otto received his doctorate from the University of Chicago in 1890 and taught at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for a short time.
In 1892, Otto became a professor of German language and literature at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He married his first wife, Margaret, about 1893, but they had no children.
In 1914, Otto was made a professor of modern European literature in addition to his original professorship. He became the first dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in 1923. He held that position until he became a dean emeritus in 1937.
Otto was a highly respected literature critic and wrote many works himself. His publications included "Henrik Ibsen, Play and Problems," "Studies in Modern Literature," "Prophets of Dissent," "Faust and Faustus" and many others.
Associated with Washington University for 45 years, Otto was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters by the school in 1936. A colleague described him as a man who "served this institution with marked distinction" and as one who "contributed substantially to its growing reputation as a center of higher learning." (H. R. Hohlfeld, University of Wisconsin Press, 1941)
Otto passed away in Forest Home, Antrim County, Michigan at the age of 78 years and 14 days.
He was survived by his second wife, Eugenie S. "Jean" Blair. After her death in 1985, she was buried next to him at Fee Fee Cemetery in Bridgeton, Missouri.
He attended the University of Prague. He then studied at the Universities of Munich, Vienna and Berlin.
Otto came to the United States in 1883 and worked as a tutor. In 1887, he taught Greek at LaSalle College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Otto received his doctorate from the University of Chicago in 1890 and taught at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for a short time.
In 1892, Otto became a professor of German language and literature at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He married his first wife, Margaret, about 1893, but they had no children.
In 1914, Otto was made a professor of modern European literature in addition to his original professorship. He became the first dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in 1923. He held that position until he became a dean emeritus in 1937.
Otto was a highly respected literature critic and wrote many works himself. His publications included "Henrik Ibsen, Play and Problems," "Studies in Modern Literature," "Prophets of Dissent," "Faust and Faustus" and many others.
Associated with Washington University for 45 years, Otto was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters by the school in 1936. A colleague described him as a man who "served this institution with marked distinction" and as one who "contributed substantially to its growing reputation as a center of higher learning." (H. R. Hohlfeld, University of Wisconsin Press, 1941)
Otto passed away in Forest Home, Antrim County, Michigan at the age of 78 years and 14 days.
He was survived by his second wife, Eugenie S. "Jean" Blair. After her death in 1985, she was buried next to him at Fee Fee Cemetery in Bridgeton, Missouri.
Gravesite Details
Unable to locate Missouri death certificate.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
