Zacharias Werner
Zacharias Werner was a notable figure born in 1768 in Königsberg, Prussia, known for his contributions to literature, theater, and religion. The son of a theater censor and a history professor, he was immersed in theatrical production from a young age, which influenced his later works. Initially pursuing a legal education, Werner abandoned this path to focus on a literary career. In the early 1790s, he began publishing politically charged poetry, notably supporting Polish resistance movements.
His involvement with the Freemasons in the early 1800s shifted his focus from political themes to romanticism, leading him to develop a unique religious philosophy that blended elements of mysticism and aestheticism. Werner gained prominence as a dramatist with his plays, particularly "Die Söhne des Thales," although he faced setbacks in his career. After traveling extensively in Europe, he converted to Catholicism in 1810, eventually becoming a Roman Catholic priest. As a preacher, Werner's sermons garnered significant attention and popularity until his death in 1823. His sermons were later published, reflecting his impactful transition from literature to religious life.
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Zacharias Werner
Playwright
- Born: November 18, 1768
- Birthplace: Konigsberg, Prussia (now in Germany)
- Died: January 17, 1823
- Place of death: Vienna, Austria
Biography
Zacharias Werner was born in Konigsberg, Prussia (now Germany), in 1768. He was the only surviving child of Louise Henreiette Werner and Jakob Friedrich Werner, a theater censor and a professor of history at Konigsberg University. During his childhood, Werner worked in theaters alongside his father and became adept at staging techniques and other nuances of theatrical production. Werner later studied law at Konigsberg University. After several years of study, he left the university without a degree in order to pursue a literary career.
In the early 1790’s, Werner supported himself by working as a clerk in the war office. At this time, he began publishing poems. Most of his poems, such as “An die Freiheit,” an ode to freedom, were centered on political themes. He wrote numerous poems in support of the Polish resistance to oppression, including “Schlachtgesang der Polan unter Kosziusko.”
By the early 1800s, Werner became increasingly involved with the Fraternity of the Order of Freemasons. Werner’s new interest in freemasonry changed his outlook on conventional religions and influenced him to change his writing focus from political themes to romantic themes. Through these poetic works, he began to evangelize his self-proclaimed religion, which was a combination of Mason fraternalism, mysticism, and romantic aestheticism. Werner also created plays about his religious philosophy. In 1803 and 1804, he published Die Söhne des Thales, a play depicting a secret omnipotent organization that grew to dominate society. The play was published in two parts: Die Templer auf Cypern (The Templars in Cyprus: A Dramatic Poem, 1886) and Die Kreuzesbrüder (The Brethren of the Cross, 1892). Die Söhne des Thales gained Werner recognition throughout Germany as a dramatist. However, this success was followed by numerous failures.
Due to his failing career, Werner left Germany and began traveling throughout Europe. He lived temporarily in Switzerland and France before settling in Italy. In 1810, Werner renounced his former religious beliefs and converted to Catholicism. He studied theology and was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1814. As a priest, Werner gave up writing drama and poetry and began creating sermons. His talent for writing captivating sermons as well as his charismatic delivery at the pulpit made him a popular preacher. Werner spent the remainder of his years maintaining a vigorous regime of preaching. He died in 1823 at the age of fifty-four. His sermons were collected and published posthumously in 1840.