Diederich von dem Werder
Diederich von dem Werder was a notable seventeenth-century nobleman, poet, and translator born in 1584 near Grobzig, Germany. As the youngest son of a noble lineage, he received a well-rounded education, starting with private tutors and later studying at prestigious universities such as Leipzig, Jena, and Marburg, where he earned degrees in theology and law. After a brief military career as a cavalry captain, he became an esteemed literary figure, known for contributing poetic works to various social events and becoming a member of the Fruchtbringenden Gesellschaft, an organization dedicated to the advancement of German literature.
Werder's literary achievements include a notable translation of Torquato Tasso's Italian epic, "La Gierusalemme liberata," into German, which garnered acclaim among the German nobility. His experiences in the military and battle influenced his writings, leading him to advocate for peace through works like "Friedens Rede in Gegenwart vieler Fürsten." In his later years, he focused on the preservation of the German language and authored numerous meditations on death, culminating in the posthumous publication of his extensive collection of reflections on mortality. Diederich von dem Werder passed away on December 18, 1657, at the age of seventy-three, leaving behind a legacy as a significant figure in German literature and culture.
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Diederich von dem Werder
- Born: January 17, 1584
- Birthplace: Estate Werdershausen, near Grobzig, Germany
- Died: December 18, 1657
- Place of death: Rheinsdorf, Germany
Biography
Diederich von dem Werder, a seventeenth century nobleman, poet, and translator, was born in 1584 near Grobzig, Germany, the youngest son of Gebhard and Katharina von dem Werder, whose lineage could be traced to ancient nobility. Werder’s early education began at home with private tutors. In 1597,Werder began attending the school for pages, which was eventually reorganized and renamed the Collegium Mauritianum. After completing his primary and secondary education, Werder studied at the Universities of Leipzig, Jena, and Marburg. He received a degree in theology and law from Marburg University in 1605.
After graduation, he took a trip through France and Italy. He then returned to Germany and entered the military as a calvary captain under Prince Christian I. Werder remained in military service until 1612, when he inherited a substantial amount of land from his father. In the course of his duties as a nobleman, Werder attended many social functions such as coronations and weddings. He contributed poetic texts and verses as forms of entertainment and developed a reputation as a literary writer. In 1620, this reputation earned him admittance as the thirty-first member of Fruchtbringenden Gesellschaft (Fruitbearing Society), an organization that worked to further German literature and preserve the purity of German language. His membership in the society advanced his literary career. In 1623, with the encouragement of fellow members, Werder translated the Italian epic La Gierusalemme liberata by Torquato Tasso into German. Werder’s translation gained notoriety among German royalty and became an exemplary model of German national literature.
In the 1630’s, Werder returned to military service and entered the army of General Johan Baner. Werder’s experiences in battle influenced his subsequent works, including his poem “Trawer Lied,” a song of mourning. Werder began using his writing to express his yearning for peace. To this end, he wrote Friedens Rede in Gegenwart vieler Fürsten (1639), in which Werder pleads with society to end war and return to Christian values. In the early 1640’s, Werder shifted his literary focus to the preservation of the German mother tongue. During this time, he gave advice to other members of the Fruitbearing Society who were compiling outlines of German grammar and German poetry.
In his later years, Werder became obsessed with dying, and devoted his time to articulating his thoughts on death. He composed more than three thousand Todesandachten, or meditations on death. These meditations were collected in Erster Theil, Seuffzender Andachten auf die Stunde des Todes, published posthumously in 1667. Werder was seventy- three years old when he died on December 18, 1657.