Heinrich Wilhelm von Gerstenberg
Heinrich Wilhelm von Gerstenberg was a notable German poet and literary critic born in 1737. He pursued a legal education at Jena and served in the Danish military during the Russian campaign of 1762. His time in Copenhagen, where he mingled with the literary circle of the esteemed poet F. G. Klopstock, significantly shaped his literary career. Gerstenberg held various positions, including serving as Danish Resident in Lübeck and later receiving a judicial appointment in Altona, near Hamburg.
A key figure in the Sturm und Drang movement, Gerstenberg's writings emphasized personal subjectivity and emotional expression, influenced by Shakespeare's works. His notable contributions include "Kriegslieder eines dänischen Grenadiers," "Gedicht eines Skalden," and the tragedy "Ugolino." Furthermore, his "Briefe über Merkwürdigkeiten der Literatur" played a crucial role in developing the principles of this literary movement. Towards the end of his life, he engaged deeply with the philosophy of Immanuel Kant. Gerstenberg passed away in Altona in November 1823, leaving a lasting impact on German literature.
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Heinrich Wilhelm von Gerstenberg
- Born: January 3, 1737
- Birthplace: Tondern, Silesia (modern Poland)
- Died: November 1, 1823
- Place of death: Altona (now part of Hamburg), Germany
Biography
Heinrich Wilhelm von Gerstenberg, a German poet and critic, was born in 1737. He studied law at Jena and participated in the Russian campaign of 1762 as a member of the Danish military service. While in Copenhagen, Gerstenberg was part of the circle around F. G. Klopstock, an influential German poet who served as court poet to the Danish king. After spending twelve years in Copenhagen, Gerstenberg served as Danish Resident at Lübeck from 1775 to 1783 and received a judicial appointment in 1786 in Altona, near Hamburg. Towards the end of his life, Gerstenberg devoted much of his time to studying the philosophy of Immanuel Kant.
During his career as a writer, Gersetenberg participated in several different movements within Germany’s literary culture. His works include Kriegslieder eines dänischen Grenadiers, Gedicht eines Skalden, and the tragedy Ugolino. His Briefe uber Merkwürdigkeiten der Literatur (letters about the peculiarities of literature) helped formulate the principles of Sturm und Drang (storm and stress), the German literary movement of the latter half of the eighteenth century that stressed personal subjectivity and man’s anxiety in modern society and was influenced by Shakespeare’s works. As a literary critic, Gerstenberg upheld originality and kraftmensch over French classicism. Gerstenberg died in Altona in November of 1823.