Christian Hoffmann von Hoffmannswaldau
Christian Hoffmann von Hoffmannswaldau (1616-1679) was a notable figure from a prominent Lutheran family in Breslau, present-day Poland. His father held a high position within the imperial court, granting him nobility under the Habsburg emperor. Hoffmannswaldau received a comprehensive education at esteemed institutions, mastering six languages and studying philosophy, theology, and rhetoric. He furthered his education at the University of Leiden, focusing on law and history, before embarking on extensive travels across Europe.
In 1643, he entered public life, marrying Maria Webersky von Webertzig and eventually having four children. His political career flourished as he held various positions, culminating in his role as president of Breslau's council. Throughout his life, Hoffmannswaldau maintained a passion for poetry, contributing to elite literary circles. He faced challenges with unauthorized publications of his work but ultimately published an official collection titled "Deutsche Übersetzungen und Getichte" in 1679, the year of his death. Much of his literary legacy continued to be recognized posthumously.
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Christian Hoffmann von Hoffmannswaldau
Poet
- Born: December 25, 1616
- Birthplace: Breslau, Germany (now Wrocław, Poland)
- Died: April 18, 1679
- Place of death: Breslau, Germany (now Wrocław, Poland)
Biography
Christian Hoffmann von Hoffmannswaldau was born in the 1600’s to a prominent Lutheran family in what is now Poland, but what was then called Breslau. Hoffmannswaldau’s father was a high imperial officer who was granted nobility by the Hapsburg emperor. In 1627, Hoffmannswaldau began attending Breslau’s Elisabeth-Gymnasium. In 1936, Hoffmannswaldau began two years of study at the Academic Gymnasium in Danzig. At these institutions, Hoffmanswaldau learned six languages, philosophy, theology, and rhetoric. Hoffmanswaldau traveled to the Netherlands to attend the University of Leiden to study law and history, concluding his pursuit in 1639. Hoffmanswaldau then began a European tour, traveling to many cities throughout the continent, including London, Paris, and Rome. He returned to Breslau in 1641. In 1643, Hoffmanswaldau married Maria Webersky von Webertzig, with whom he had four children, two of whom survived to adulthood.
Five years later, Hoffmanswaldau was granted his first government post as a judicial assessor. In 1657, Hoffmanswaldau became a senator on the city council, representing the city in the imperial court. In 1657, the Hapsburg emperor personally appointed Hoffmanswaldau to the post of imperial counselor. Over the course of the next twenty years, Hoffmanswaldau rose to the highest position in Breslau, becoming the president of Breslau’s council.
During his lengthy and highly esteemed political career, Hoffmanswaldau also pursued his love of poetry, contributing his work to handwritten anthologies that circulated within the academic and social elite of the era. His work was occasionally stolen and published without his consent, but in 1679 Hoffmanswaldau authorized an official edition of his poetry to be printed. The title of this collection was Deutsche Übersetzungen und Getichte. Hoffmanswaldau died that same year. Much of his work was published posthumously.