Poet. After a healthy and happy childhood in Friedeburg, he returned to Quedlinburg for school. In 1739 he attended the classical school Schulpforta. He became adept in Greek and Latin verses and wrote a few odes in German. While at school, he began to work on what would become his masterwork "Der Messias." After graduation in 1745, he began to study theology at Jena. A year later, he left and moved to Leipzig, and published anonymously the first three cantos of "Der Messias" in 1748. He continued to publish his odes, especially "An meine Freunde" ("Wingolf). Leaving the university in 1748, he tutored for a while, and two years later he visited Zurich. He was invited by Frederick V of Denmark to live in Copenhagen with an annuity. During his journey, he met his wife, who he married in 1754. When she died only four years later, he was shattered and his grief is expressed in the fifteenth canto of "Der Messias." His depression continued and was reflected in his poetry. By 1773, he was living in Hamburg and he published the last five cantos. After meeting Goethe, he sent some time at the Baden court, returning to Hamburgs in 1775 with the title of Hofrath, plus two pensions. He married his second wife, Johanna when he was 67. Some of his odes had a religious theme and often took the form of hymns. Several composers used his writings as text for musical drama, most significantly his "Die Auferstehung" may have inspired the final movement of Gustav Mahler's Second Symphony. Some of his work has also been incorporated into the Catholic hymnal "Gotteslob."
Poet. After a healthy and happy childhood in Friedeburg, he returned to Quedlinburg for school. In 1739 he attended the classical school Schulpforta. He became adept in Greek and Latin verses and wrote a few odes in German. While at school, he began to work on what would become his masterwork "Der Messias." After graduation in 1745, he began to study theology at Jena. A year later, he left and moved to Leipzig, and published anonymously the first three cantos of "Der Messias" in 1748. He continued to publish his odes, especially "An meine Freunde" ("Wingolf). Leaving the university in 1748, he tutored for a while, and two years later he visited Zurich. He was invited by Frederick V of Denmark to live in Copenhagen with an annuity. During his journey, he met his wife, who he married in 1754. When she died only four years later, he was shattered and his grief is expressed in the fifteenth canto of "Der Messias." His depression continued and was reflected in his poetry. By 1773, he was living in Hamburg and he published the last five cantos. After meeting Goethe, he sent some time at the Baden court, returning to Hamburgs in 1775 with the title of Hofrath, plus two pensions. He married his second wife, Johanna when he was 67. Some of his odes had a religious theme and often took the form of hymns. Several composers used his writings as text for musical drama, most significantly his "Die Auferstehung" may have inspired the final movement of Gustav Mahler's Second Symphony. Some of his work has also been incorporated into the Catholic hymnal "Gotteslob."
Bio by: Winter Birds PA
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