Joseph Viktor von Scheffel
Joseph Viktor von Scheffel (1826–1886) was a prominent German author known for his literary contributions in the 19th century. Born in Baden to an engineer and a poet, Scheffel initially pursued a law degree at multiple universities, where he gained recognition for his drinking songs. Despite entering civil service, he sought a more creative path, studying painting in Italy before shifting his focus entirely to writing. He achieved widespread acclaim with his comic epic poem "Der Trompeter von Säckingen," published in 1854, which became a bestseller with nearly three hundred printings.
His subsequent work, the historical novel "Ekkehard," further solidified his reputation as one of Germany's most beloved writers. Scheffel's literary style was characterized by romantic themes and an emphasis on local history and folklore, influenced by his family's background. He also made notable contributions to German student culture with his collection "Gaudeamus." In recognition of his literary achievements, he was ennobled by the grand duke of Baden in 1876. Scheffel's legacy endures through his impactful works that celebrate Germany's past and cultural heritage.
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Joseph Viktor von Scheffel
- Born: February 16, 1826
- Died: 1886
Biography
Popular German author Joseph Viktor von Scheffel was the son of Philipp Jakob Scheffel, a Baden engineer and retired militia captain, and Josephine (Krederer) Scheffel, an active and intelligent woman and a poet. Scheffel first studied at the lyceum in Karlsruhe until age seventeen. He then studied law from 1843 to 1847 at the universities of Munich, Heidelberg, and Berlin, at his father’s bidding. At university, he Scheffel was in many student organizations and he wrote drinking songs that earned nation-wide notoriety. After graduation, he again heeded his father’s expectations to follow family traditions: he entered into civil service in Sackingen from 1850 to 1852. He soon, however, procured a leave of absence so that he could travel and study painting in Italy, a decision with which his mother sympathized. He soon abandoned plans to paint and shifted his focus to writing.
With failing eyesight, he officially left his legal position in 1853, settled in Heidelberg, and prepared to begin teaching at the university. While in Heidelberg, he wrote the wildly popular Der Trompeter von Säckingen (the trumpeter of Säckingen), a comic epic poem published in 1854. This work, which eventually went through almost three hundred printings, reveals the literary influences of Sir Walter Scott and Heinrich Heine. However, when his sight problems and health worsened, he traveled to Switzerland’s Lake of Constance in search of rejuvenation and healing.
Scheffel continued work in Switzerland on his historical novelEkkehard, one of the most popular novels in nineteenth century Germany, noted both for its exemplary fiction and scholarship. With Ekkehard, Scheffel became one of Germany’s most popular writers.
In the midst of a period of scattered travels, Scheffel acted as Prince Fürstenberg’s librarian in Donaueschingen, from 1857 to 1859, and later became a privy councilor in 1865. After moving to Karlsruhe, Scheffel married Caroline von Malzen in 1864 (the marriage lasted only until 1867), and he retired eight years later to his Villa Seehalde, at the Lake of Constance. His 1867 publication Gaudeamus, a collection of German student songs, is regarded as his most enduring contribution to the nation’s literature. His success with German readers stemmed from his romantic themes that favored descriptions of the nation’s past glories over the trends of contemporary realism. His interests in local history and folklore had been fostered by his grandmother, Katharina Krederer, and by his mother, who was also the first to encourage Scheffel’s writing talents and aspirations. The grand duke of Baden bestowed upon the author a patent of nobility in 1876, on Scheffel’s fiftieth birthday.