Adelbert von Chamisso
Adelbert von Chamisso was a French-born poet, novelist, and botanist who became a prominent figure in German literature during the Romantic movement. Born as Vicomte Louis Charles Adélaïde de Chamisso de Boncourt in Champagne, France, his family fled to Germany during the French Revolution, where he later served as a page to the Prussian queen and joined the army. Chamisso is perhaps best known for his novella "Peter Schlemihls wundersame Geschichte," which explores themes of identity and sacrifice through the tale of a man who sells his shadow to the devil.
His scientific endeavors included a significant voyage on the Russian ship Rurik, during which he contributed to botanical studies and discovered the California poppy. Chamisso's literary influence extended to notable writers such as E. T. A. Hoffmann and Hans Christian Andersen, and his works often reflect a synthesis of scientific inquiry and literary creativity. He also played a crucial role in editing the Deutsche Musealmanach and had a lasting impact on German literature, with a prize established in his name to honor contributions by non-native German speakers. Chamisso's unique blend of humor and depth in his writing resonates with themes of the human condition, making his work relevant to both literary and scientific discussions.
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Adelbert von Chamisso
Poet
- Born: January 30, 1781
- Birthplace: Champagne, France
- Died: August 21, 1838
Biography
Although Adelbert von Chamisso was born in France at his family’s estate in Champagne—he was baptized Vicomte Louis Charles Adélaïde de Chamisso de Boncourt—he spent most of his life as a Prussian, writing in German. His family fled the French Revolution, moving to Berlin in 1796. Here, after becoming a page to the Prussian queen, he joined the Prussian army. His poem “Schlo Boncourt” (“Castle Boncourt”) bemoans the loss of his ancestral chateau.
Chamisso was mainly an autodidact, and, like many literary figures of his day, he became involved in the Romantic movement. He collaborated in producing the Berliner Musealmanach (1803-1806), which published his early verse. He ended his military career in 1809, and, falling under the influence of Madame de Staël, moved with her to Switzerland, beginning his lifelong botanical studies. Through her, he met Alexander von Humboldt.
After returning to Berlin, he wrote the work for which is best known, the novella Peter Schlemihls wundersame Geschichte (the wondrous history of Peter Schlemihl), about a man who sells his shadow to the devil for a purse that yields unending riches. In 1815, Chamisso began a voyage as a scientific observer—a botanist—on the Russian vessel Rurik. On this global circumnavigation he discovered the California poppy, and an island and a wilderness area in Alaska have been named for him.
On his return, Chamisso was named custodian of the Berlin botanical gardens, and in 1819 he married Antonia Piaste. In 1829, he resumed his literary career and became an influential figure for such romantic writers as E. T. A. Hoffmann; Hans Christian Andersen visited him in 1831. He jointly edited the Deutsche Musealmanach from 1829 to 1838, when he died.
Robert Schumann set Chamisso’s poem cycle Frauenliebe und Leben (women’s loves and lives) to music. A prize named for Chamisso has been awarded every year since 1986 for contributions to German literature by non-native German speakers, and his scientific works have been praised for their exactness. Chamisso, like Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, combined scientific enquiry with a literary imagination.
The title character of Peter Schlemihl combines the ridiculousness of the Yiddish figure of the shlemiel with the sufferings of the lonely hero of a Wagnerian opera, such as the Flying Dutchman or Tannhäuser, and the wanderings of a Victorian scientist/explorer: Faust becomes Charles Darwin. Precise knowledge of the real world, Chamisso’s tale tells us, can restore the inner solidity that shallow pursuits can steal.