Augustus Buchner
Augustus Buchner was a notable figure in early 17th-century Germany, born into a prominent Dresden family with a military background. He was the youngest son of Paul Buchner, director of munitions and fortifications, and Maria Buchner, whose lineage included a significant mayor of Dresden. Initially intending to pursue law, Buchner shifted his focus to philosophy, influenced by classical philologist Friedrich Taubmann. After Taubmann's death, Buchner succeeded him as professor of poetics at the University of Wittenberg in 1616. He married Elisabeth Krause and had eleven children, fostering a legacy that included military and academic careers among his offspring. Despite writing little poetry, he is credited as the father of German dactylic poetry and was known as a leading expert in German-language poetics during his lifetime. His commitment to academia earned him several prestigious positions at the university, including rector multiple times. Buchner passed away on February 12, 1661, and left a lasting impact on German literature and education.
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Augustus Buchner
Writer
- Born: November 2, 1591
- Birthplace: Dresden, Saxony (now in Germany)
- Died: February 12, 1661
Biography
Augustus Buchner was born into an old Dresden family that had long produced military men. He was the youngest son of Paul Buchner the Oberzeugmeister, director of munitions and fortifications, and Maria Buchner, née Kroes, whose father was mayor of Dresden and a very important courtier at the electoral court. His oldest brother, Paul, followed their father in the Oberzeugmeister post; but Augustus, following extensive tutoring and schooling in Dresden, enrolled at the celebrated school in Schulphorta in 1604 and at the University of Wittenberg in 1610. Although he originally intended to study law, Buchner turned to philosophy after becoming very interested in Friedrich Taubmann, a classical philologist and Neo-Latin poet. Because of his close work with Taubmann, in 1616, three years after Taubmann’s death, Buchner was named to succeed him as professor of poetics in the philosophy faculty. That same year Buchner married Elisabeth Krause, the daughter of a theology professor. The marriage produced eleven children, seven of whom would survive their father. The three sons would take up military careers, a very traditional vocation in Buchner’s family history, two of the daughters would marry professors, and a third would marry a lawyer.
Buchner’s first try at poetry was addressed to his friend and colleague, Martin Opitz and was entitled “Den Phoenix der Deutschen Poeten” (the phoenix of German poets). Rather than write poetry, however, Buchner preferred to devote himself to academic life. He was well known for his devotion to his students, and he continued to mentor them long after they had left Wittenberg. Buchner was rewarded with high positions. He was named rector in 1618, 1632, and 1654; acting rector in 1642 and 1648; dean of the philosophy faculty every three to five years; senior professor of his faculty in 1638; and senior professor of the university in 1649. The latter appointments were of particular distinction, since he was by no means the eldest or most senior professor.
Even though he wrote very little poetry and published very rarely, Buchner is still regarded as the father of German dactylic poetry. During his lifetime, he was often referred to as the greatest living expert on German-language poetics. Buchner died on February 12, 1661 and was buried a week later in the Schloßkirche (castle church) in Wittenberg. The memorial pamphlet prepared by Andreas Kunad, rector of the theology faculty, was used as the basis for later biographies.