Author, Philosopher, Theologian. He was a 18th century Swiss writer, Protestant pastor, and founder of physiognomics, which was an antirational, religious, and literary movement. Born the son of Henry Lavater, a physician and a member of the government of Zurich, he trained for the clergy early. He began his theological studies in 1759, was ordained in 1762 and married in 1766. The couple had eight children but only a son and two daughters lived to adulthood. He traveled to Germany and other European countries, becoming familiar with well-respected philosophers. After holding several positions in the church, he became the full pastor of St. Peter's Church in Zürich in 1786. A zealous Christian evangelist, he was known for his interactions with Moses Mendelssohn, a well-known German-Jewish philosopher and theologian, and challenging him with a conversion to Christianity. He was a close colleague of Johann Goethe, who is considered one of the greatest German literary figures of the modern era. Lavater was known for his practice of physiognomy, the talent of assessing a person's character or personality from their outer appearance, especially the face and the shape of the head. His texts, "Physiognomische Fragmente zur Beförderung der Menschenkenntnis und Menschenliebe," 4 vol. from 1775 to 1778 and "Essays on Physiognomy from 1789 to 1798, established his reputation throughout Europe. His most important books are "Aussichten in die Ewigkeit" from 1768 to 1778; "Geheimes Tagebuch von einem Beobachter seiner selbst in 1772; "Secret Journal of a Self Observer" in 1795; "Pontius Pilatus" from 1782 to 1785; and "Nathanael" in 1786. Early on, Goethe was instrumental in having his books published but later there was a disagreement between the two men. Although physiognomy may be considered a radical science in the 21st century, his publications were very successful monetarily in his era. As a poet, he published "Schweitzerlieder" in 1767, which contains some of his finest poems. Many of these poems became lyrics for hymns, which were sung into the 20th century. He published "Christliche Lieder" from 1776 to 1780 and two epics, "Jesus Messias" in 1780 and "Joseph von Arimathia" in 1794. He published several articles on the church such as devotionals. In 1779 he wrote his autobiography. In 1796 he was put in exile for several weeks at Basle for protesting against the French government. After his return to Zürich, he was wounded during a skirmish with soldiers during the French capture of Zürich on September 26, 1799, and after suffering for years, died as a result of his injuries. His professional papers are archived at Zurich University.