Daniel Georg Morhof
Daniel Georg Morhof was a notable seventeenth-century German poet, educator, and scholarly writer, born in Wismar, Germany. He received early education at home from his father, who introduced him to classical literature. At sixteen, Morhof continued his studies at the Academy of Stettin and later pursued law and humanities at the University of Rostock, where he excelled academically. His proficiency in Latin led to a position as a poetry instructor at the University of Rostock, which he held for five years before moving to the University of Kiel. There, he initially taught poetry and eloquence, later becoming a professor of history in 1673 and earning the title of academy librarian in 1680. Morhof is best known for his significant literary contributions, particularly "Unterricht von der deutschen Sprache und Poesie," the first systematic survey of European literature by a German author, and "Polyhistor," an analytical work of key historical facts and events. He passed away in Lübeck, Germany, in 1691 at the age of fifty-two. Morhof's legacy remains influential in the study of literature and history.
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Daniel Georg Morhof
- Born: February 6, 1639
- Birthplace: Wismar, Germany
- Died: July 30, 1691
- Place of death: Lübeck, Germany
Biography
Daniel Georg Morhof, a seventeenth century poet, educator, and scholarly writer, was born in Wismar, Germany. During his early childhood, Morhof was educated at home by his father, who exposed him to the literary classics. At the age of sixteen, Morhof enrolled at the Academy of Stettin. After graduating form the academy, Morhof studied law and the literary humanities at the University of Rostock in Germany.
Morhof excelled in his studies. Due to his proficiency in Latin, he was granted a position at the University of Rostock as a poetry instructor. Morhof remained in this position for five years before relocating to the University of Kiel, where he taught poetry and eloquence. In 1673, he exchanged his position as professor of poetry for the title of professor of history. In 1680, he earned the prestigious title of academy librarian at the University of Kiel.
In 1682, Morhof published his most important literary contribution, Unterricht von der deutschen Sprache and Poesie. This work was the first systematic survey of European literature written by a German citizen. Morhof’s other well- noted work, Polyhistor, sive de auctorum notitia et rerum commentarii, was an analytical collection of key facts and events of the period. The final volume of this encyclopedia-like work was published posthumously in 1707. In 1691, Daniel Georg Morhof died in Lübeck, Germany, at the age of fifty-two.