Luthers Tod. Ereignis und Wirkung ed. by Armin Kohnle

Martin Luther's death on February 18, 1546, had profound and lasting impacts on the German empire and beyond, shaping both positive and negative perceptions of his reformist legacy. The edited volume 'Luthers Tod: Ereignis und Wirkung' explores various perspectives on Luther's death, including its cultural, theological, and historical implications. It examines how Luther's final days and the memory of his passing have been documented and interpreted over nearly five centuries, addressing controversies such as the myth of his suicide and the symbolic significance of his death. The collection also delves into Luther's pastoral approach to death, his testament's legal and familial radicality, and the reactions of those closest to him, including his wife Katherine von Bora and colleague Philipp Melanchthon. Additionally, it traces the evolution of published accounts of his death from eyewitness reports to later legends, while analyzing poetic tributes and material culture associated with his memory.

Kolb, R. (2020). Luthers Tod. Ereignis und Wirkung ed. by Armin Kohnle. Lutheran Quarterly, 34(2), 242–244. https://doi.org/10.1353/lut.2020.0044