Alfred Apsler was born in Vienna, started his studies at the University of Vienna in 1926 and received his Ph.D. in 1930. At the same time he studied at the Paedagogisches Institute, Vienna, and was certified in 1929. Apsler was a distinguished leader of Kinderfreunde and then he became a member of the Central Committee of Rote Falken, from 1926 to 1930 He then worked for the Viennese journal Arbeitzeitung writing mainly for young readers, from 1930 to 1934. In those years he also gave lectures and trained librarians and youth leaders at Sozialistisches Bildungswesen, and from 1930 to 1934 he was consultant of literature at the Arbeiterbildungszentrale and a freelance writer and lecturer in Vienna. He passed his state teaching examination in 1932, and the following year he became an elementary school teacher in Vienna and Graz.
In 1938, as a result of the implementation of the anti-Jewish laws in Austria, he was dismissed from his post. In September of the same year, Apsler along with his wife immigrated to Switzerland, where they received aid from the Jewish community. He contributed articles to local newspapers.
In November 1939 the Apslers sailed for the USA. They received some aid from H.I.A.S. and Apsler has been retrained at Columbia University Librarian School. He became librarian at Duke University, NC, then he was employed as a high school teacher in Portland, Oregon, from 1943 to 1946. Apsler was professor at Lower Columbia College, Longview, WA., from 1946 to 1956, and from 1956 to 1973 he was professor of history and chairman of the social science division at Clark College, Vancouver, WA. From 1971 he was also director of educational activities and gerontological programs as well as professor of political sciences.
In addition to his teaching career, Apsler was a freelance writer for television and a public lecturer. From 1963 he was educational tour director; taught at colleges, including the University of Portland, Portland Community College, and East Washington College.
In 1975 Apsler returned to Vienna, where he was lecturer at the Paedagogisches Institute and Urania, Vienna. During later years of life, Apsler dedicated himself to writing biographies of major historical figures for young people.
Apsler was a member of A.A.U.P. (president at Clark College, chapter 1957-1958), American Association for UN (president Vancouver, chapter 1957-1958); NW Historical Association; National Educational Association; National Association of Retired Teachers (chap. President); Optimist Club (president 1968); Jewish Federation, Oregon (board member); Socialist Teachers Association, Austria (honorary member).
Apsler received a Certificate of Recognition for editorial writing from Freedoms Foundation (1952); Alfred Apsler Day for work done with senior citizens (1977), Vancouver, WA.
His biographies include The court factor; the story of Samson Wertheimer (Philadelphia, 1964), Prophet of revolution: Karl Marx (New York, 1967), Iron chancellor: Otto von Bismarck (New York, 1968), and “Vive de Gaulle