About
Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) is a major figure of German literature. Born in Marbach, he studied medicine at the military academy in Stuttgart. His first drama, The Robbers (1781), was a sensational success. He wrote historical plays such as Don Carlos, the Wallenstein trilogy, Mary Stuart, and William Tell. As a professor of history in Jena, he published historical works and aesthetic essays, including the Letters on the Aesthetic Education of Man. His friendship with Goethe from 1794 marked Weimar Classicism. His Ode to Joy is famous through Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.
* 1759-11-10 — † 1805-05-09
Major works
- Die Räuber (1781)play
- Kabale und Liebe (1784)play
- Don Carlos (1787)play
- Wallenstein (1800)dramatic trilogy
- Wilhelm Tell (1804)play
Key milestones
- 1782Premiere of The Robbers in Mannheim, followed by a writing ban and his flight from Stuttgart.
- 1789Appointed professor of history at the University of Jena with Goethe's support.
- 1794Beginning of friendship and collaboration with Goethe, marking Weimar Classicism.
Themes
freedomaesthetic educationhistoryidealismhistorical drama
Sources: britannica.com · plato.stanford.edu