Heinrich Anshelm von Zigler und Kliphausen
Heinrich Anshelm von Zigler und Kliphausen was a notable seventeenth-century fiction writer from Radmeritz, Germany, born into an aristocratic family with wealth derived from mining and land. After completing his education at the University of Frankfurt, where he studied law and literature, Zigler returned home to manage his father’s estates following his father’s death. He married Sabine von Lindenau and had seven children, but instead of managing his estates, he focused on writing. In 1687, he sold his estates to pursue literary ambitions more freely and purchased a dilapidated estate, which strained his finances. Zigler achieved significant recognition with the publication of his adventure novel "Die Asiatische Banise" in 1689, regarded as a major success of the era, showcasing life in the Far East. His subsequent work, "Helden-Liebe der Schrifft Alten Testaments," published in 1690, offered a collection of love stories based on Old Testament figures, further solidifying his literary reputation. In 1697, he resigned from a councilor position, seeking to immerse himself more in the literary culture near Leipzig. Tragically, his life was cut short when he died of tuberculosis at the age of thirty-four.
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Subject Terms
Heinrich Anshelm von Zigler und Kliphausen
Writer
- Born: January 6, 1663
- Birthplace: Radmeritz, Germany
- Died: September 8, 1697
- Place of death: Liebertwolkwitz, Germany
Biography
Heinrich Anshelm von Zigler und Kliphausen, a seventeenth century fiction writer, was born in Radmeritz, Germany. His parents were descendents of the oldest aristocratic family in Saxony. Their wealth was derived from mining prospects and land holdings.
In 1682, Zigler graduated from the gymnasium in Gorlitz and entered the University of Frankfurt. There he studied law, modern languages, history, and German literature. Upon the death of his father in 1684, Zigler left the University of Frankfurt and returned home to assume the administration of two of his father’s estates, Probsthain and Nierderlinda. In 1685, Zigler married Sabine von Lindenau, the daughter of a Dresden court official. Together they had seven children.
Instead of taking an active role in the management of his estates, Zigler spent his time gathering materials for his writing. In 1687, deciding that both of his homes were too far from any libraries, Zigler sold the rights to these estates to his younger brothers. He then purchased an estate called Poldelwitz. However, this estate was in such disrepair that Zigler struggled financially to rebuild it. Eventually he was forced to borrow against the estate in order to complete construction. Due to financial struggles, Zigler used his father-in-law’s prestige to obtain an appointment as the electoral councilor and assessor of the convent Wurtzen in Meissen. This position carried a sufficient annual salary to enable Zigler to pursue his literary aspirations.
In 1689, Zigler published his noted work, titled Die Asiatische Banise (Asiatic Banise). This adventure novel, based on historic events, depicted life in the Far East and presented detailed descriptions of cultural and religious ceremonies, which were highly interesting to German readers. Die Asiatische Banise was considered one of the greatest prose successes of the seventeenth century.
In 1690, Zigler published Helden-Liebe der Schrifft Alten Testaments in 16 Anmuthiegen Liebes Begebenheiten (heroic love in the writings of the Old Testament in sixteen pleasant love stories). This popular work was a collection of amorous stories told in the context of figures from the Old Testament.
In 1697, Zigler petitioned for the release from his position as the electoral councilor and assessor of Wurtzen. After his release was granted, Zigler bought an estate in the small town of Liebertwolkwitz, near Leipzig. There he enjoyed the remainder of his years in proximity to Leipzig’s intellectual and literary circles. Heinrich Anshelm von Zigler und Kliphausen died of tuberculosis in 1697. He was thirty-four years old.