Christian Ludwig Liscow
Christian Ludwig Liscow was a prominent figure in the 18th century, known for his sharp wit and satirical writings. Born in the early 1700s in Lübeck, Germany, he initially pursued theology before shifting his focus to law at the University of Jena. Liscow gained notoriety for his satires, often targeting the academic and clerical establishments of his time, including a professor named Philippi, whose career suffered due to Liscow's attacks. One of his notable works, published in 1734, humorously defended the role of satire in society. Liscow later served as an embassy secretary for Duke Carl Leopold of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, although his tenure ended unsuccessfully, leaving him destitute in France. Despite these challenges, he eventually secured a position in Saxony's government, where he rose to the rank of minister of war. Liscow's career was marred by a court scandal that led to his dismissal and brief imprisonment in 1748. Throughout his life, he published twelve books, and several of his works were released posthumously, though some were lost due to confiscation during his arrest.
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Christian Ludwig Liscow
Nonfiction Writer
- Born: April 27, 1701
- Birthplace: Wittenburg, Germany
- Died: October 30, 1760
- Place of death: Eilenburg, Germany
Biography
Christian Ludwig Liscow, the son of a minister, was born in the early 1700’s. He spent his formative years in Lübeck, Germany. In 1718, Liscow began studying theology in Rostock, but decided to pursue law instead. To this end, he attended the University of Jena, and after completing his studies became a private tutor.
Liscow began publishing satires under an assumed name, poking fun at clergymen and professors. One of his early works was Kurtze, aber dabey deutliche und erbauliche Anmerckungen, über die klägliche Geschichte von der jämmerlichen Zerstöhrung der Stadt Jerusalem (brief, but thereby clear and edifying remarks on the wretched story of the deplorable destruction of the city of Jerusalem), published in 1732. A popular target of Liscow’s was Philippi, a professor of rhetoric. Liscow dedicated five of his satires to Philippi. Liscow’s satires degenerated into scathing personal attacks on Philippi, which led to Philippi’s ouster from his teaching position, and eventually drove him to insanity. Out of guilt, Liscow financially supported Philippi after his breakdown. Liscow’s best-known work was published in 1734. Die Vortrefflichkeit und Nothwendigkeit der Elenden Scribenten gründlich erwiesen (the superiority and necessity of miserable writers thoroughly proved) was a humorous argument about the importance of satire.
In 1735, Liscow was appointed embassy secretary by Duke Carl Leopold of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, and he traveled to France on the Duke’s behalf. However, Liscow failed to accomplish the mission he had been sent on and was relieved of his position. Liscow found himself stranded and penniless in France, and had to rely on friends to return to Germany. In 1738, Liscow secured a position at the Preetz monastery in Holstein as a secretary, a position he held only briefly. The following year, Liscow released a collection of his work entitled Über die Unnöthigkeit der guten Werke zur Seligkeit (on the futility of good works for salvation).
In 1741, Liscow again found employment as a embassy secretary, this time for Count Heinrich von Brühl. Liscow succeeded this time, in time becoming a cabinet secretary and eventually minister of war in Saxony. Liscow married Johanna Catharine Christine Mylius von Buch in 1745, and they had five children together. A court scandal in 1748 led to Liscow’s dismissal from his positions and he was jailed briefly. Not all of Liscow’s work survived his death, due to the confiscation and destruction of numerous of his works during his arrest in 1748. Liscow released twelve books during his lifetime, and several editions of his work were published posthumously.