HERDER, Johann Gottfried (1802 von). Mohrungen, Ostpreussen (now Morąg in Poland) 25.8.1744 — Weimar 18.12.1803. Famous German Author, Philosopher and Scholar. Son of Gottfried Herder (1706–1763), a modest precentor and teacher, and Anna Elisabeth Peltz. After Pietist education studied theology at Königsberg, where Kant and Hamann inspired his thinking. In 1764-69 teacher and priest in Riga, then visited Paris and in the entourage of the Prince of Holstein Italy. From 1776 Generalsuperintendent in Weimar. Now started his literary activity as a critic, wrote soon important works on literature and history. He was a romantic, associated with Goethe and Wieland, and in the romantic way rather enthusiastic about India (e.g. about the Śakuntalā), without knowing much. Married 1773 Karoline Flachsland (1750–1809), six sons and one daughter.
Publications: A great number of works, e.g. Fragmente über die neuere deutsche Literatur. Riga 1767; Kritische Wälder. 1-3. Riga 1769; Über den Ursprung der Sprache. B. 1772; Vom Geist der ebräischen Poesie. 1-2. Dessau 1782-83; Ideen zur Philosophie der Geschichte der Menschheit. 1-4. Riga – Lp. 1784-91; Briefe zur Beförderung der Humanität. 1-10. Riga 1793-97.
– Edited the 2nd edition of G. Forster’s German Sakontala. Frankfurt 1803; “Ueber ein morgenländisches Drama”, Werke zur schönen Literatur und Kunst. Stuttgart 1828, 9, 181-220(?).
– Collected works in 33 vols. 1877-1913.
Sources: Gildemeister, Bibl.; *R. Haym, A.D.B. 12, 1880, 55-100; *Hoffmann 1915, 2-23; *H.-W. Jäger, N.D.B. 8, 1969, 595-603; *W. Koepke, J.G.H.: Language, History and Enlightenment. Columbia, S.C. 1990; *Lex. gramm. 1996; Wikipedia with portrait and references (still more in German version).
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