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One of the leading German intellectuals of the early 1900s was Rolf, a resident of Mannheim. With his superior intelligence, he successfully dabbled in mathematics, ethics, religion and philosophy. He speculated about the Urseele, the original soul of God, and his stipulation that every animal should be defined as a part of this abstract concept attracted much notice from other German philosophers. An avid reader and a talented poet, Rolf kept up a large correspondence with kindred spirits all over Europe.

In her biography of Rolf, his friend and secretary Frau Paula Moekel heaped praise on his character: the great thinker was generous, unselfish and compassionate, although his life had not been devoid of sorr­ows.