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Ewald Christian von KleistGerman poet
Date of Birth: 07.03.1715
Country:  Germany |
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Biography of Ewald Christian von Kleist
Ewald Christian von Kleist (German: Ewald Christian von Kleist; March 7, 1715 – August 24, 1759) was a German poet and officer. He was born in Pomerania and after attending Jesuit school and gymnasium in Gdansk, he enrolled at the University of Königsberg in 1731 to study mathematics and jurisprudence.
Military Career
Kleist later joined the Danish army, where he became an officer in 1736. He participated in Frederick II's campaigns and tragically died from a wound sustained in the Battle of Kunersdorf. Despite his military career, Kleist is best known for his poetry.
Poetic Works
Kleist's most famous poem is "Der Frühling" (The Spring), written in hexameter, which celebrates nature through a series of simple yet truly poetic images. First published in 1749, it went through numerous editions and gained immense popularity. Kleist also wrote odes, elegies, songs, and idylls.
Legacy
After Kleist's death, his friend Ramler organized a posthumous edition of his works titled "Sämtliche Werke" (Berlin, 1760). A critical edition of his works was later published in the "National Bibliotek" by Hempel (new series, Berlin, 1880-1882). Kleist's contributions to German literature have made him an influential figure in poetic circles.
