Johann Peter Uz
Johann Peter Uz was a noteworthy German poet born in 1720 in Ansbach, Bavaria. He is best known for his contributions to Anacreonticism, a literary style that emphasizes simplicity and formal harmony, which he helped introduce to German literature through his translation of the ancient Greek poet Anacreon's odes. Uz's poetry encompasses a range of forms, including lyrics, pastorals, odes, and essays, marked by both philosophical and religious themes. His work was influenced by the Enlightenment thinkers Alexander Baumgarten and Christian Wolff, and he developed significant literary connections during his studies at the University of Halle.
Uz's literary journey included collaborations with contemporaries Johann Wilhelm Ludwig Gleim and Johann Nikolaus Gotz, with whom he translated works by Homer and Pindar. Despite facing personal challenges, including the loss of friendships and family hardships, he continued to produce poetry, leading to the publication of his collection, "Lyrische Gedichte," in 1749. His writings garnered attention beyond Germany, being translated into several languages and earning him recognition from notable figures, including Pope Clement XIV. Uz's reflective style can be seen as a precursor to the philosophical poetry of Friedrich Schiller, highlighting his lasting impact on German literary tradition.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Johann Peter Uz
- Born: October 3, 1720
- Birthplace: Ansbach, Bavaria, Germany
- Died: May 12, 1796
- Place of death: Ansbach, Bavaria, Germany
Biography
German poet Johann Peter Uz wrote lyrics, pastorals, light verse, parodies, odes and essays. His most important contribution to German literature is the translation of the odes of the ancient Greek poet Anacreon. With the translation of these pastorals, Uz became one of the founders of the literary style of Anacreonticism in Germany. German writing was heavily baroque until Anacreonticism promoted the values of simplicity and regularity in verse and a greater emphasis on form than on content. Uz imitated the Anacreonian style in his poetry—both philosophical and religious. Uz’s reflective poetry was a precursor of Friedrich Schiller’s philosophical poetry.
Uz was born in 1720 in Ansbach, Bavaria, Germany. He was the son of Friedrich August Uz, who was an affluent goldsmith, and Elisabeth Reisenleiter. He studied law at the University of Halle from 1739 to 1743. The aesthetics of Alexander Baumgarten and the Leibnizian rationalism of Christian Wolff, both important people in the German Enlightenment, influenced Uz’s thinking, as is evident in Uz’s work in later years.
While a student at Halle, Uz formed literary friendships with Johann Wilhelm Ludwig Gleim and Johann Nikolaus Gotz. The three men shared an attraction to the writing of Friedrich Von Hagedorn and the poetry of Immanuel Jacob Pyra, and translated Homer and Pindar together. In 1746 Uz and Götz translated Anacreon. As a result, famous poets including Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, began imitating Anacreontic poetry.
Uz entered upon a desolate period in his life when Gleim left Halle and his friendship with Gotz deteriorated. His widowed mother influenced his decision to return to his home, where he spent five years writing with the inspiration he received from letters sent by Gleim and, indirectly, from Karl Wilhelm Ramler and Ewald von Kleist. Gleim arranged for Lyrische Gedichte, a collection of lyric poems by Uz, to be published in 1749. Uz revised his poems continually throughout his life and many, including all of his religious poems, were later songs.
Uz held the unpaid position of secretary to the Justizcollegium from 1748 to 1760. He was appointed assessor to the imperial court of justice at Nuremberg in 1763 and became a judge in 1790. He composed numerous lyric poems during his career. Uz was critical of occasional poetry, which he considered insincere, and of lyric poems that incorporated rationalistic language. His works were translated into Italian, Dutch, Spanish, and French. Uz received national recognition when Pope Clement XIV commended him to Margrave Carl Alexander during Alexander’s visit to Rome.