 Berendsohn was educated at the universities of Berlin, Freiburg, Munich, and Kiel, in German studies, Scandinavian studies, and philosophy.He obtained his doctorate at Kiel in 1911 and after completing his habilitation, became a professor at the University of Hamburg, teaching German literature and Scandinavian studies.Besides his academic career, he lectured and officiated at baptisms and weddings for the Hamburg Free Religious Community ("freireligiösen Gemeinde") and the German Monist League.