Carl Johann Theodor Abs, generally referred to as Carl Abs (September 12, 1851, Groß Godems, Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin – February 18, 1895, Hamburg), also known as "The German Oak", was one of Germany's most well known professional wrestlers in the 19th century and is considered the founder of modern professional wrestling in Germany. His life and work both inside and outside the ring attracted great public interest in the late 19th century. In 1891 a book about the life of Carl Abs as a championship wrestler and a champion for the poor was published called Carl Abs, der Meisterschafts-Ringer der Welt: Sein Leben u. Wirken ("Carl Abs, the wrestling Champion of the world: his life and work").