Friedrich Hecht
chemist · university teacher · writer · science fiction writer
- August 3, 1903 · Vienna
- March 8, 1980 · Vienna
- 76 years
About Friedrich Hecht
Friedrich Hecht, 76, Austrian chemist.
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Full Biography
|Friedrich Hecht (3 August 1903, Vienna – 8 March 1980, Vienna) was an Austrian chemist and writer.
Hecht studied chemistry at the University of Vienna, and in 1928 was awarded a PhD. He was an assistant at the Institute of Chemistry. He wrote science fiction under the pseudonym Manfred Langrenus. In 1980, he died in Vienna, Austria.
Even before the Anschluss, in 1933 Hecht was a member of the (at that time illegal) National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP) or Nazi Party and Sturmabteilung or SA, from 1934, the Schutzstaffel or SS.
In 1938, Hecht moved to the Analytical Department of the University of Vienna and achieved habilitation there in 1941. From 1943 to 1950 he was Professor of Microchemistry and Geochemistry at the Graz University of Technology. From 1959-1973, he was Associate Professor of Analytical Chemistry and head of the Analytical Institute in Vienna. At Vienna, Hecht was assisted by Edith Kroupa.
In 1938, Hecht received the Fritz Pregl Prize for distinguished achievements in chemistry by the Austrian Academy of Sciences.
Novels
- Reich im Mond. Utopisch-wissenschaftlicher Roman aus naher Zukunft und jahrmillionenferner Vergangenheit (Empire in the Moon. Utopian-scientific novel of the near future and of a millions of years distant past.), 1951. New edition in 1959 as Reich im Mond. Utopisch-wissenschaftlicher Roman (Empire in the Moon. Utopian-scientific novel).
- Im Banne des Alpha Centauri (Under the spell of the Alpha Centauri). Roman, 1955.
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Sources
- Wikipedia
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Hecht
- CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sep 26, 2026
- View article
- View record
- October 21, 2026
- Sep 26, 2026
Trivia & Knowledge· 16 questions
Questions drawn from Friedrich Hecht's archived record and the sources above.
1.What was the date of birth of Friedrich Hecht?
- A.3 August 1910
- B.8 March 1903
- C.3 August 1903correct
- D.8 March 1910
Friedrich Hecht was born on 3 August 1903 in Vienna.
Source: biographical introduction
2.In what city did Friedrich Hecht die?
- A.Berlin
- B.Graz
- C.Viennacorrect
- D.Salzburg
Friedrich Hecht died in Vienna, Austria, on 8 March 1980.
Source: biographical introduction
3.Under what pseudonym did Friedrich Hecht write science fiction?
- A.Franz Rottensteiner
- B.Fritz Pregl
- C.Ernst Klee
- D.Manfred Langrenuscorrect
Friedrich Hecht wrote science fiction literature under the name Manfred Langrenus.
Source: biographical introduction
4.In which year did Friedrich Hecht receive his PhD?
- A.1941
- B.1928correct
- C.1938
- D.1933
Friedrich Hecht was awarded a PhD from the University of Vienna in 1928.
Source: biographical introduction
5.Friedrich Hecht joined the NSDAP in which year?
- A.1930
- B.1934
- C.1938
- D.1933correct
Friedrich Hecht became a member of the National Socialist German Workers' Party in 1933.
Source: political background section
6.When did Friedrich Hecht join the Schutzstaffel (SS)?
- A.1933
- B.1934correct
- C.1932
- D.1941
After joining the SA in 1933, Friedrich Hecht became a member of the Schutzstaffel in 1934.
Source: political background section
7.In what year did Friedrich Hecht achieve habilitation at the University of Vienna?
- A.1943
- B.1950
- C.1941correct
- D.1938
Friedrich Hecht achieved his habilitation at the Analytical Department of the University of Vienna in 1941.
Source: career history
8.Friedrich Hecht served as Professor of Microchemistry and Geochemistry at which institution?
- A.University of Vienna
- B.Innsbruck University
- C.Graz University of Technologycorrect
- D.Salzburg University
From 1943 to 1950, Friedrich Hecht held the position of Professor at the Graz University of Technology.
Source: career history
9.From 1959 to 1973, what was the professional role of Friedrich Hecht in Vienna?
- A.Assistant to the Fritz Pregl Institute
- B.Professor of Microchemistry
- C.Head of the University of Vienna
- D.Associate Professor of Analytical Chemistrycorrect
Friedrich Hecht was the Associate Professor of Analytical Chemistry and head of the Analytical Institute from 1959 until 1973.
Source: career history
10.Who assisted Friedrich Hecht at the Analytical Institute in Vienna?
- A.Fritz Pregl
- B.Franz Rottensteiner
- C.Edith Kroupacorrect
- D.Manfred Langrenus
Edith Kroupa served as the assistant to Friedrich Hecht during his time at the Analytical Institute in Vienna.
Source: career history
11.What prize did Friedrich Hecht receive in 1938?
- A.The Austrian Scientific Medal
- B.The Vienna Chemistry Award
- C.The Fritz Pregl Prizecorrect
- D.The Analytical Institute Medal
Friedrich Hecht was awarded the Fritz Pregl Prize in 1938 for his achievements in chemistry.
Source: career history
12.In what year was the novel 'Reich im Mond' first published?
- A.1955
- B.1959
- C.1973
- D.1951correct
Friedrich Hecht published his novel Reich im Mond in 1951.
Source: novels section
13.What is the title of the science fiction novel published by Friedrich Hecht in 1955?
- A.The People Lexicon to the Third Reich
- B.Im Banne des Alpha Centauricorrect
- C.Reich im Mond
- D.Analytical Chemistry
Im Banne des Alpha Centauri was written by Friedrich Hecht and published in 1955.
Source: novels section
14.Friedrich Hecht moved to the Analytical Department of the University of Vienna in which year?
- A.1938correct
- B.1933
- C.1943
- D.1928
Friedrich Hecht began working at the Analytical Department of the University of Vienna in 1938.
Source: career history
15.Which institution awarded Friedrich Hecht the Fritz Pregl Prize?
- A.Corian-Verlag
- B.Austrian Academy of Sciencescorrect
- C.University of Vienna
- D.Graz University of Technology
The Austrian Academy of Sciences presented the Fritz Pregl Prize to Friedrich Hecht in 1938.
Source: career history
16.What was the occupation of Friedrich Hecht besides being a chemist?
- A.Historian
- B.Writercorrect
- C.Geologist
- D.Publisher
Friedrich Hecht was an Austrian chemist and a writer of science fiction.
Source: biographical introduction
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