Mainly based on his diaries and selected publications, the uncertainties in the career and in the scientific findings of this first representative of "Volkskunde" at an Austrian university will be analysed.
Paper long abstract
Viktor (von) Geramb (1884–1958) was the first person in Austria with a “Habilitation” for “Volkskunde” and consequently the first representative of the discipline at an Austrian university. His political attitude between Catholicism and Nationalism was the reason for problems within his career. Theories regarding the development of vernacular architecture as well as of costumes (two of his main research fields) included lots of uncertainties which also led to discussions and disputes with his fellow researchers. On the other hand, from today's perspective, some certain results from Geramb's research must be described as uncertainties.