Ferdinand Lassalle

===Childhood in Breslau===

===Childhood in Breslau===

Ferdinand Lassal (he later adopted the French spelling "Lassalle"{{sfn|Footman|1947|p=21}}) was born in [[Breslau]] (now Wrocław), [[Prussian Silesia]], on 11 April 1825.{{sfn|Footman|1947|p=21}} His family were [[Ashkenazi Jews|Jews]], originally domiciled in Poland, who had moved to Prussian Silesia in the late 18th century. His father, Heymann Lassal, who was trained for a [[rabbinical]] career, was a prosperous wholesale silk merchant.{{sfn|Footman|1947|p=21}} Ferdinand had a sister, Frederike (Riekchen).{{sfn|Footman|1947|p=21}}

Ferdinand Lassal (he later adopted the French spelling "Lassalle"{{sfn|Footman|1947|p=21}}) was born in [[Breslau]] (now Wrocław), [[Prussian Silesia]], on 11 April 1825.{{sfn|Footman|1947|p=21}} His family were [[Ashkenazi Jews|Jews]], originally domiciled in Poland, who had moved to Prussian Silesia in the late 18th century. His father, Heymann Lassal, who was trained for a [[rabbi|rabbinical]] career, was a prosperous wholesale silk merchant.{{sfn|Footman|1947|p=21}} Ferdinand had a sister, Frederike (Riekchen).{{sfn|Footman|1947|p=21}}

For the New Year of 1840, his father gave him a diary. The boy, not yet fifteen, recorded his activities, faults, and good deeds, aiming to understand his own character.{{sfn|Footman|1947|p=21}} His early diary reveals a precocious, quick-witted boy, capable of warm affection but unscrupulous when he truly wanted something. He was a voracious reader with intense dreams of [[Knight-errant|knight-errantry]] and glory.{{sfn|Footman|1947|p=ix}} He was highly sensitive about the figure he cut, his Jewishness, and his background as the son of a provincial tradesman.{{sfn|Footman|1947|p=ix}} The diary shows an early interest in gambling, a keen eye for money, and a casuistic ability to justify his actions, such as playing billiards despite his father's prohibition.{{sfn|Footman|1947|pp=22-23}} He also displayed a precocious interest in romantic intrigues, offering advice to family friends.{{sfn|Footman|1947|pp=23-24}}

For the New Year of 1840, his father gave him a diary. The boy, not yet fifteen, recorded his activities, faults, and good deeds, aiming to understand his own character.{{sfn|Footman|1947|p=21}} His early diary reveals a precocious, quick-witted boy, capable of warm affection but unscrupulous when he truly wanted something. He was a voracious reader with intense dreams of [[Knight-errant|knight-errantry]] and glory.{{sfn|Footman|1947|p=ix}} He was highly sensitive about the figure he cut, his Jewishness, and his background as the son of a provincial tradesman.{{sfn|Footman|1947|p=ix}} The diary shows an early interest in gambling, a keen eye for money, and a casuistic ability to justify his actions, such as playing billiards despite his father's prohibition.{{sfn|Footman|1947|pp=22-23}} He also displayed a precocious interest in romantic intrigues, offering advice to family friends.{{sfn|Footman|1947|pp=23-24}}