GOETHE, JOHANN WOLFGANG

VON (1749-1832), Ger. poet, dramatist, philosopher, and scientist; 6. Frankfort on-Main; at Leipzig G. studied law, 1765-68, and, inspired by Katchen Schonkopf, wrote Annette (charming MS ‘volume of lyrics, pub. 1896), and play, Die Laune des Verliebten. Returning to Frankfort, 1768, an invalid, he wrote Die Mitschuldigen (comedy). G. graduated as Doctor of Law at Stra burg, 1771; also studied bot., an at., alchemy, etc. |-At Stra burg he was greatly influenced by his intimate friend, Herder. Sesenheimer Lieder (lyrics), inspired by Brederike Brion, were written, 1770. At Wetzler (1772) he became friends ‘with Kestner, whose fiancée, Charlotte Buff, is immortalized in Die Lieden des jungen Werthers, 1774, which made him world famous. In 1773 Clavigo and the hist. drama Gotz von Berlichingen (first really great work) appeared; also some dramatic satires (Gotter, Helden and zeit, etc.). At this time G. became engaged for a short while to Lili Schénegjmann, In 1775 he wrote the Faust of the ‘Sturm und Drang’ period (pub. as a Fragment, 1790). From 1775 onwards G. lived in Weimar, holding several responsible government posts; formed intimate friendship with Frau von Stein; ennobled, 1782. To the Weimar period belong dramas. Hgmont (pub. 1778), Die Geschwister (1776), Iphigenie (prose version, 1778), Harzreise im anter, and Briefs aus der Schweiz (1779), etc. The spell of an Ital. visit (1786-88) is seen in Die It alien is che Reise (pub’ 1816-17). The dramas, Iphigenie poetical version, 1787) and Torquato as so (1790), are by many reckoned his masterpieces. __ G. accompanied the Duke of Weimar in Fr, campaign, 1792-93; formed deep and lasting friendship with Schiller, 1794; app. director of Weimar Court Theater, 1791-1817; Meta morpho sen der 1792; Hermann und Dorothea (narrative poem), and some of G.’s finest ballads appeared, 1789. In 1806 G. mee pis later years belong Die naturliche Tochter (drama, 1804), first part (‘EErster Teil’) of Faust, 1808; the drama which established G.’s reputation as the greatest poet of his time. Die Wahlverwandtschafien (novel, 1809), autobiographical Dichtung und Wahrhett, 1811; Uber Kunst und Alterthum, 1816-32; Zur Wanderjahre (romance, 1821), and Faust, second part (‘Zweiter Teil’), 1833. versity and the University of the City of New York, took up law and began to practice in 1866. In the following year he was elected to the West Virginia House of Representatives. During in the district of West Virginia. In 1881 he was appointed Secretary of the Navy by President Hayes. From 1883 to 1889 he was a member of Congre ; during 1892-11 he was justice of the Fourth Federal Circuit Court; justice of the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, 1912-13, ang in 1913 he was elected to the U.S. enate.