I have just been aware of the fact that today is the birthday of Baron Hieronymous Karl Friedrich von Munchausen, that was born in Bodenwerder this day in 1720. Having been a long-time fan of the esteemed Baron, I thought it would be appropriate to post a brief note on my blog.

For those that are unfamiliar with this great man’s biography, I cannot recommend too warmly his memoir, Baron Munchausen’s Narrative of his Marvellous Travels and Campaigns in Russia, as compiled and edited, in 1786, by Rudolf Erich Raspe. A different edition of the memoir, The Surprising Adventures of Baron Munchausen, again edited by Rudolf Erich Raspe, can be downloaded from the Project Gutenberg pages in a variety of formats.

It’s been three hundred years, and the old man is still doing pretty well.