SCHACK, Adolf Friedrich, Graf von. Brüsewitz (Wikipedia Schelfstadt) 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 (1780–1852), a lawyer, and Wilhelmine Kossel. Educated in Halle and Frankfurt. Law studies 1833-38 at Bonn, Heidelberg and Berlin, then worked briefly in public service in Berlin and, after travels in Greece, Near East, Egypt and Spain, in Oldenburg. In 1852 retired to his estate in Mecklenburg, travelled in Spain. In 1856 settled in Munich, invited by Bavarian king. In 1871 accompanied the young Duke of Mecklenburg on his Eastern travels. Also an art collector. 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. & enlarged 2nd ed. 6+439 p. B. 1865.
– Translated: 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); portrait in Ges. Werke 1.
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