Friedrich von Logau
Friedrich von Logau was a notable German poet and satirist born in June 1604 in Brockut, Silesia, which is now part of Poland. He received his education at the gymnasium in Brieg and later studied law. After completing his studies, he served as a ducal collector for the Duke of Brieg, a role he found unsatisfactory, which fueled his critical writings during the tumultuous period of the Thirty Years' War. Logau is best known for his sharp epigrams, published under the pseudonym Salomon von Golaw in collections released in 1638 and 1654. His work distinguished itself from that of his contemporaries, who often adhered to the formal complexities of French poetic models, by showcasing a more independent and expressive style. A member of the Fruitbearing Society, a prominent German literary group of the time, Logau also held Martin Opitz in high regard, although he maintained his unique voice. He passed away on July 24, 1655, in Liegnitz, Germany, leaving behind a legacy marked by his satirical insight and literary contributions.
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Friedrich von Logau
- Born: January 1, 1604
- Birthplace: Brockut, Silesia, Germany (now in Poland)
- Died: July 24, 1655
- Place of death: Liegnitz, Germany (now Legnica, Poland)
Biography
Friedrich von Logau was born at Brockut, Silesia, Germany (now in Poland), in June, 1604. He received his education from the gymnasium of Brieg, and then studied law. After his studies, he entered the service of the duke of Brieg, and he was made ducal collector in 1644. He resented the lowliness of his position, and many of the satires he wrote made light of the government and the useless bloodshed during the Thirty Years’ War.
Logau wrote many epigrams, which appeared in two collections under the pseudonym Salomon von Golaw, an anagram of his real name. These books, published in 1638 and 1654, showcase an amazing display of writing talent, featuring a wide display of expression. These works stood out among the German writers of the early seventeenth century, who more usually imitated French models of poetry to the point of complicated formality. The imitation of the French, in addition to the German people’s lack of national pride, often became the target of Logau’s satirical wit. He belonged to the Frutchbringende Gesellschaft, or Fruitbearing Society, a German literary association founded in 1617, under the assumed name Der Verkleinernde (The Dimutive One). Logau regarded himself as a follower of the literary critic Martin Opitz, although he did not allow his affiliation with Opitz to interfere with his independent writing. Logau died at Liegnitz, Germany (now Legnica, Poland), on July 24, 1655.