Eobanus Hessus
Helius Eobanus Hessus was a notable figure in the 16th century, born on January 6, 1488, in Halgehausen, Hesse-Cassel. His name reflects his heritage and the circumstances of his birth, drawing from a local saint and the land of Hesse. Hessus embarked on his academic journey at the University of Erfurt in 1504, where he would later become a professor of Latin in 1517. Throughout his career, he was involved in the significant religious and literary debates of his time, aligning himself with the Reformation and supporting Martin Luther.
Despite facing personal challenges, including struggles with alcohol, Hessus managed to secure various teaching positions, including a stint at Marburg, where he gained recognition through a lengthy poem that caught the attention of the local landgrave. His literary contributions have led many to regard him as an important Latin poet of his era, although his work is often viewed as driven more by financial motives than artistic expression. Hessus passed away in October 1540, leaving behind a legacy intertwined with the cultural and political currents of the Reformation period.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Eobanus Hessus
Poet
- Born: January 6, 1488
- Birthplace: Halgehausen, Hesse-Cassel, Germany
- Died: October 4, 1540
Biography
Helius Eobanus Hessus was born at Halgehausen in Hesse-Cassel on January 6, 1488. While his family name is believed to be Koch, his name was taken from Eoban, a local saint, Hesse, the land of his birth, and Helius, which signifies that he was born on a Sunday. He entered the University of Erfurt in 1504, and soon after his graduation, he was appointed the rector of St. Severus school. He soon was stripped of his title of rector, however, and he spent from 1509 to 1513 at the court of the bishop of Riesenburg. After this, he returned to Erfurt, and he spent a good deal of time trying to take control of his drinking habits. In 1517, he was appointed a professor of Latin at the University of Erfurt.
At Erfurt, Hessus had the opportunity to associate with many prominent figures of the time, and he took part in many of the religious, political, and literary discussions and quarrels of the era. Hessus favored the side of Luther and the Reformation. With the aid of some of his more influential friends, he obtained a position at Nuremburg, but he soon found the job distasteful, and he returned to Erfurt. Upon returning to Erfurt, he found his old friends had passed on or left for better places, and he soon became a professor of poetry and history at Marburg, by way of a lengthy poem that grabbed the attention of the landgrave of Hesse. Hessus stayed here for four years, until his death in October of 1540.
While many people consider Hessus the most important Latin poet of his age, he is not considered a true poet. Hessus wrote not for the art of the poems, but rather of the money. He wrote whatever was most likely to pay or secure him the favor of an important person.