Johann Christian Günther
Johann Christian Günther was a German poet born in Striegau (now Strzegom, Poland) in 1695. His education began at the gymnasium in Schweidnitz, and he was sent to study medicine at Wittenberg by his father at the age of twenty, despite his disinterest in the field. After two years, he left Wittenberg and moved to Leipzig, where he became connected with the literary community through his friendship with Johann Burkhard Mencke, who recognized his poetic talents. Günther gained recognition for his poetry, particularly after writing about a peace agreement in Passarowitz, and he published several collections during his lifetime, with more released posthumously. Despite his literary acclaim, Günther faced personal struggles, leading to rumors about his behavior during public readings. He is remembered as a talented poet who significantly influenced later German writers, including the renowned Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Günther passed away in Jena, Germany, in 1723 at the young age of twenty-seven.
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Subject Terms
Johann Christian Günther
Poet
- Born: April 8, 1695
- Birthplace: Striegau, Germany (now Strzegom, Poland)
- Died: March 15, 1723
- Place of death: Jena, Germany
Biography
Johann Christian Günther was born in Striegau, Germany (now Strzegom, Poland), in 1695. He was educated at the gymnasium at Schweidnitz. In 1715, at the age of twenty, his father sent him to Wittenberg to study medicine at Wittenberg, even though Günther had little interest in becoming a physician. After two years, much to the displeasure of his family, Günther left Wittenberg. He arrived in Leipzig in 1717, where he befriended Johann Burkhard Mencke, a major figure in the city’s literary community who recognized Günther’s talents as a poet. At the height of his popularity, Mencke made an attempt to arouse the interest of Frederick Augustus II, king of Poland, in Günther’s poems. Unfortunately, Mencke’s recommendation ultimately failed to benefit Günther.
After Günther wrote a poem on a peace agreement settled in Passarowitz, his reputation as an accomplished poet grew. Günther continued to write poetry, publishing numerous collections during his lifetime; other collections were published after his death. Günther apparently began to grow unhappy with his life, and there were rumors that he drank in front of the audiences who came to hear him read his poetry. Regardless of the unflattering rumors, many considered Günther to be a highly talented genius, and he would eventually become an inspiration to many German writers, including Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Günther died in Jena, Germany, in 1723, at the age of twenty-seven.