Von Goethe was a German writer and civil servant. He was a man of many interests and much influence. He published multiple literary works of poetry and plays, and scientific papers that have influenced thinkers to this day.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was born in Frankfurt, Germany on August 28, 1749. His family was well-to-do and lived in those standards. His father had studied law and married into a family in government service. Johann had one surviving sister, while the rest of his siblings passed on at an early age. He had a good early education as he received most of his lessons from his father and through private tutoring. He also showed an early inclination towards the study of languages and literature.
When von Goethe got older, he decided to follow in the footsteps of his father, despite his other interests. He studied law in Leipzig in 1765, but continued to pursue his literary passions, especially plays and poetry. Because of this, he paused his law studies and returned to Frankfurt in 1768. He did end up going to Strasbourg in 1770 to finish his law studies, where he received his academic degree in 1771.
In Strasbourg he developed his love for Shakespeare and folk poetry. He described Shakespeare as his first true experience in literature. During this time, he fell in love with Friedrike Brion, who became inspiration to a few of his poems including Willkommen und Abschied. After he received his degree as Lizenziat, he started a short-lived legal practice that was closed after a few months due to his inexperience and suboptimal performance.
Von Goethe pursued his passion for literature again after ending his short legal career. He traveled to other places and countries central to artistic influences, and befriended many artists and writers. He lived his life with passion, fell in love, participated in war, married, and had a child. He died of heart failure in 1832, but at this point in his life, his influence was undeniable.
Von Goethe’s vivid poetry and inventive plays continue to inspire writers today. Even his scientific work on the morphology of plants had profound impact in the botanical community. He had tremendous effect on nineteenth century ideologies, with his developed theories on colors, linguistics, and evolution. His poetry has been set to music by many composers, and at least one of his poems has been made into film with 2010’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Von Goethe has served as inspiration to many other forward thinkers that have changed the course of history including Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nikola Tesla, and Charles Darwin. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was far ahead of his time, and his legacy continues even centuries after his death.