Annes Diary

The story contained within Anne Frank’s diary, that world famous testimony to the sufferings of a Jewish family during World War II, may well be a true story as far as it goes, but it is one hundred percent certain that what was published and subsequently became a worldwide best seller was not written by Anne Frank herself.

Differences in Handwriting and Authorship Claims

One of the primary points of contention concerns discrepancies in handwriting samples attributed to Anne Frank. A letter she wrote to an American pen pal before her death appears to differ significantly from the handwriting found in the published diary. Critics argue that such a drastic change is unlikely in such a short time frame, particularly in the writing of a young teenager.

Additionally, forensic analysis has played a role in questioning the diary’s authenticity. Studies have indicated that parts of the diary, including entire sections, were written using a ballpoint pen. Ballpoint pens were invented by Hungarian journalist László Bíró in the mid-1940s but were not commercially available until well after Anne Frank's death in 1945. This has led some to suggest that portions of the diary may have been added or modified posthumously.

Annes handwriting in a letter to an American penpal

Otto Frank’s Involvement and the Role of Third Parties

Otto Frank, Anne’s father and the only surviving member of the Frank family, played a crucial role in the diary’s publication. Following his liberation from Auschwitz, he returned to Amsterdam and either discovered the diary himself or received it from Miep Gies, a family friend. Otto Frank then edited and compiled Anne’s writings before passing them to his secretary, Isa Cauvern, and her husband, Albert Cauvern, for further refinement.

Questions have arisen regarding how much of the diary was altered during this process. American author Meyer Levin has also been linked to the final published version, with some accounts suggesting he contributed to shaping the diary’s narrative. These claims have led to legal disputes, including Otto Frank’s lawsuit against individuals who alleged that the diary was a forgery.

Legal Cases and Forensic Investigations

In 1980, Otto Frank took legal action against German authors Ernst Römer and Edgar Geiss for distributing material that called the diary’s authenticity into question. As part of the proceedings, the German forensic bureau Bundeskriminalamt (BKA) conducted a handwriting analysis. The BKA concluded that the entire diary was written by the same person but noted that portions of it were composed with a ballpoint pen—an anachronism given Anne Frank’s death in 1945.

Additionally, previous expert studies determined that Anne Frank’s known handwriting did not match the handwriting in the published diary. The German magazine Der Spiegel reported on these findings, which indicated that some portions of the text may have been added or edited after 1951. The BKA report was later retracted following external pressure, but its findings remain a point of discussion among researchers.

Otto Frank’s Business Dealings During WWII

Another aspect rarely discussed in mainstream narratives is Otto Frank’s business activities in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam. Prior to going into hiding, Otto Frank’s company, Opekta, conducted business with the German Wehrmacht. Pectin, one of Opekta’s key products, was supplied to the Wehrmacht for various uses, including food preservation, medical applications, and as an emulsifier for flamethrowers and firebombs. These transactions led to suspicions of Nazi collaboration, which further complicated Otto Frank’s post-war reputation.

Conclusion

The controversy surrounding The Diary of Anne Frank raises broader concerns about the ability of powerful institutions to shape historical narratives. The suppression of forensic reports, the legal battles over its authenticity, and the editing process suggest that those in control of information can dictate how events are remembered. If a widely accepted historical account can be questioned or altered, it highlights the extent to which narratives can be molded to serve particular interests. This case serves as a reminder that historical events are often subject to manipulation, and the public’s perception of the past is largely determined by those who control access to information.

The Validity of Anne Franks Diary