Johann Wilhelm Ludwig Gleim
Johann Wilhelm Ludwig Gleim was a notable German poet born in 1719 in Ermsleben, Germany. He studied law at the University of Halle and began his career as the secretary to Prince William of Brandenburg-Schwedt in Berlin. After the prince's death, Gleim worked briefly for Prince Leopold of Dessau before resigning due to personal discomfort with the position. In 1747, he became the secretary of the cathedral at Halberstadt, where he lived a comfortable life as a wealthy bachelor and became a patron to many young male poets, fostering a creative environment in his home, known as the "temple of friendship." Gleim is particularly recognized for his anacreontic poems that celebrate themes of love, war, and wine, with his most acclaimed work being the long poem "Preußische Kriegslieder in den Feldzügen 1756 und 1757 von einem Grenadier" (1758), inspired by the military campaigns of Frederick II of Germany. Additionally, he was an avid correspondent, publishing notable letters in 1768 that challenged the sensibilities of his time. His contributions to poetry and his role as a mentor highlight his significance in the literary circles of the 18th century.
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Johann Wilhelm Ludwig Gleim
Poet
- Born: April 2, 1719
- Birthplace: Ermsleben, Germany
- Died: February 18, 1803
- Place of death: Halberstadt, Germany
Biography
Johann Wilhelm Ludwig Gleim was born in Ermsleben, Germany, in 1719. He studied law at the University of Halle. Following graduation, Gleim began working as the secretary to Prince William of Bradeneburg-Schwedt in Berlin. While working for Prince William, Gleim made the acquaintance of Ewald von Kleist, and the two men developed a close friendship until von Kleist’s death in war. After Prince William died during the Battle of Prague, Gleim obtained a new position as secretary to Prince Leopold of Dessau. He soon gave up this position because he found Prince Leopold somewhat unbearable. Gleim stayed in Berlin for several more years, until he became the secretary of the cathedral at Halberstadt in 1747. As a comfortably wealthy bachelor, Gleim became the patron of many young male poets. Some of these young men lived with Gleim, while others found employment as private tutors. Gleim established what he called the temple of friendship in his home, which contained over one hundred twenty portraits of his friends and family as well as a library.
Although he is best known as a poet, Gleim regularly corresponded with more than one hundred people. In 1768, he published some of this correspondence as Briefe von den Herren Gleim und Jacobi. The text was considered to be risqué, even by the standards of the age of sensibility. Gleim is best known for his anacreontic poems, poems that celebrate love, war, and wine. His poetry inspired by the war campaigns of Frederick II of Germany is considered Gleim’s best work. In particular, Gleim is known for his long poem Preu�ische Kriegslieder in den Feldzügen 1756 und 1757 von einem Grenadier (1758).