Goethe

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) was a towering figure in German literature whose works encompassed poetry, drama, prose, philosophy, and science. Born in Frankfurt am Main, Goethe was a polymath whose influence extended across Europe. He exhibited early literary promise and wrote his first major work, "The Sorrows of Young Werther" (1774), which became a seminal piece in the Sturm und Drang movement and sparked Werther Fever among young people of the time.

Goethe’s extensive education included studies in law, which he completed in 1771. However, his true passion lay in the arts and sciences. He was a key figure in Weimar Classicism together with his close friend and collaborator, Friedrich Schiller. His literary masterpiece, "Faust," a tragic play in two parts, is considered one of the greatest works in Western literature.

In addition to his literary pursuits, Goethe was deeply involved in scientific research. He made contributions to various fields, notably in color theory and the study of plant morphology. He served as a statesman and advisor to the Duke of Weimar and was later ennobled in 1782. Goethe's vast body of work and his profound impact on literature, science, and philosophy make him a central figure in the canon of Western intellectual history.