Christian Fürchtegott Gellert
Christian Fürchtegott Gellert (1715-1769) was a prominent German poet, novelist, and hymn composer, recognized for his significant contribution to the Enlightenment movement in Europe. Born in Hainichen, Saxony, he grew up in a modest household, the son of a pastor. Gellert pursued his education at Leipzig University, where he studied theology and eventually became a lecturer, later achieving the position of extraordinary professor of philosophy. His literary style was marked by simplicity, moral clarity, and emotional honesty, making him one of the most beloved authors of his time.
Gellert's notable works include "Fables and Other Poems" and the novel "The History of the Swedish Countess of Guildenstern." In addition to his poetry, he wrote comedies like "Die Betschwester" and "Die kranke Frau," and published "Geistliche, Oden, und Lieder," a collection of hymns that were later set to music by composers such as Joseph Haydn and Ludwig van Beethoven. Gellert's influence was so significant that, for a time, only the Bible surpassed his works in popularity among German readers. He passed away in Leipzig, leaving a lasting legacy in German literature and culture.
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Subject Terms
Christian Fürchtegott Gellert
Author
- Born: July 4, 1715
- Birthplace: Hainichen, Saxony (now in Germany)
- Died: December 1, 1769
- Place of death: Leipzig, Germany
Biography
Born in the early part of the eighteenth century, in Hainichen, Saxony (modern Germany), Christian Fürchtegott Gellert was a poet, novelist, and composer of hymns. He was an integral member of the German aufklärung (enlightenment), the broad, reason-based intellectual movement of seventeenth and eighteenth century Europe. He was the son of a pastor and was raised in an atmosphere of poverty and moral rigor. He entered Leipzig University in 1734 and completed his theology studies in 1739. After working as a tutor and contributing articles for the journal Bremer Beiträge, Gellert became a lecturer at Leipzig University, where he spoke to students on poetry and literary style. He was appointed extraordinary professor of philosophy in 1751, and he held this position until his death.
As a writer, Gellert was well known for his simple, forthright style, his unflinching morality, and his candid emotional expression. He soon became one of the most popular German authors of his day. For a period of time, only the Bible was more popular than Gellert’s books among German readers. His collection Fables and Other Poems was first published between 1746 and 1748, and his novel The History of the Swedish Countess of Guildenstern first came out between 1747 and 1748. Gellert wrote a few comedies, including Die Betschwester (1745) and Die kranke Frau (1748). Geistliche, Oden, und Lieder, a collection of hymns, was published in 1757. Many of Gellert’s poems were set to music and performed by such musicians as Joseph Haydn and Ludwig van Beethoven. Gellert died in Leipzig in 1769.