Kaspar Hauser 30 April — 17 December was a German youth who claimed to have grown up in the total isolation of a darkened cell. His claims, and his subsequent death from a stab wound, sparked much debate and controversy both in Nuremberg and abroad. Theories propounded at the time identified Hauser as a member of the grand ducal House of Baden , hidden away because of dynastic intrigue. However, there were also allegations that Hauser was an impostor.
On 26 May , Kaspar Hauser, then a teenage boy, was found wandering the streets of Nuremberg , then part of the Kingdom of Bavaria , carrying two letters. The first letter was addressed to a Captain von Wessenig, commander of the 4th squadron of the 6th cavalry regiment in Nuremberg. Its heading read:. The anonymous author of this letter said that he had assumed custody of Hauser as an infant on 7 October The author said he had taught him reading, writing and the Christian religion, but never let him "take a single step out of my house.
The second letter was purportedly written by Hauser's mother to his former caretaker. It stated that the boy's name was Kaspar, that he was born on 30 April and that his deceased father had been a cavalryman of the 6th regiment. Writing analysts in later years concluded that the same person wrote both letters. The line from the letter "he writes my handwriting exactly as I do" led them to assume that Hauser wrote both of them. A shoemaker named Weickmann brought Hauser to von Wessenig's house.
Once there, Hauser only repeated the words, "I want to be a cavalryman, as my father was" and, "Horse! While being examined by police, Hauser showed familiarity with money and the ability to say some prayers and a small measure of reading. However, he answered few of their questions and demonstrated a limited vocabulary. Contrary to many later accounts, observers described Hauser as being in good physical condition and able to walk well; for example, he could climb over ninety steps by himself to his room.
He had a "healthy facial complexion" [ 5 ] and was judged to be approximately sixteen years old but appeared to be intellectually impaired. Mayor Binder, however, claimed that Hauser had an excellent memory and was a quick learner. Various curious people visited Hauser to his apparent delight.
