SCHACK, Adolf Friedrich, Graf von. Brüsewitz near Schwerin 2.8.1815 — Rome 14.4.1894. German Poet and Translator of Oriental Classics. Born in a well known old family of nobility, son of Adam Reimar Christoph von Schack, a lawyer, and Wilhelmine Kossel. Educated in Halle and Frankfurt. Law studies 1834-38 at Bonn, Heidelberg and Berlin, then worked briefly in public service in Berlin and, after travels in Italy, Egypt and Spain, in Mecklenburg. In 1852 retired to his estate in Mecklenburg, travelled in Spain. In 1855 settled in Munich, invited by Bavarian king. In 1871 accompanied the young Duke of Mecklenburg on his Eastern travels. Unmarried.
Schack became early interested in Oriental languages and learned Sanskrit, Persian and Arabic. His free renderings of Eastern poetry were popular. He could never realise his wish to visit India.
Publications: Translated: Heldensagen des Firdusi. 1851, rev. & enl. 2nd ed. 6+439 p. B. 1865.
– Transl.: Stimmen vom Ganges: eine Sammlung indischer Sagen. 266 p. B. 1857, 2nd ed. St. 1877.
– Also wrote on literary history, e.g. Poesie und Kunst der Araber in Spanien und Sicilien. 1-2. B. 1865.
– Ein halbes Jahrhundert, Erinnerungen and Aufzeichnungen. 1-3. St. & Lp. 1887, 3rd ed. 1894 (autobiography).
– Much own poetry, then Gesammelte Werke. 1-6. St. 1883 (own poetry only, translations not included, with photo).
Sources: E. Chrambach, N.D.B. 22, 2005, 492f.; M. Koch, A.D.B. 55, 1910, 158-163; Stache-Weiske 2017, 556; Wikipedia with portrait (more in German version, with further references).
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