Heinrich Heine

Heinrich Heine (1797–1856) was a German poet, journalist, essayist, and literary critic, born in Düsseldorf to a Jewish family. Heine is best known for his lyric poetry, which fused romanticism with sharp wit and social criticism. His early work, including the "Buch der Lieder" (Book of Songs, 1827), established him as one of the foremost poets of his time. Heine's poetry often explored themes of love, nature, and longing, characterized by its musicality and emotional depth.

Heine converted to Protestantism in 1825, partly to improve his career prospects, given the era's pervasive anti-Semitism. Throughout his life, he was an astute observer and commentator on the sociopolitical conditions of his time, which frequently brought him into conflict with the authorities. His works were censored and even banned in Germany.

In 1831, Heine moved to Paris, where he spent the rest of his life. In France, he engaged with other prominent intellectuals, including Karl Marx, and continued writing both in German and French. His later works shifted focus to political issues and critiques of the Romantic movement he once embraced. Heine's health deteriorated in the 1840s, and he spent his final years bedridden, suffering from a debilitating illness known as the "mattress-grave". Despite his suffering, he continued to write until his death in 1856. Heinrich Heine's legacy endures, deeply influencing German literature and thought.