 |
Julius MosenGerman poet and author of Jewish descent
Date of Birth: 08.07.1803
Country:  Germany |
Content:
Biography of Julius Mosen
Julius Mosen, a German poet and writer of Jewish descent, was associated with the literary movement called "Young Germany." He was born as Julius Moses on July 8, 1803, in Vogtland, Saxony, and was the son of a cantor and teacher, Johann Gottlob Moses. Julius attended the gymnasium in Plauen from 1817 to 1822, and then studied law at the University of Jena.
Inspiration struck Mosen during his two-year stay in Italy, influencing his later works such as "Ritter Wahn," "Cola Rienzi," and "Der Kongress von Verona." Upon his return to Germany, Julius completed his legal studies in Leipzig, where he worked as a lawyer. From 1835 to 1844, Mosen practiced as an independent lawyer in Dresden. It was during this time that his literary work, "Lied vom Ritter Wahn," gained attention in literary circles. His other work, "Ahasvar" in 1838, veered towards philosophy. His poetry collection, "Gedichte," which included "Andreas Hofer" and "Die letzten Zehn vom vierten Regiment," gained popularity.
As an active Freemason in Dresden, Mosen encountered important literary figures such as Ludwig Tieck, Ludwig Uhland, Gottfried Semper, Georg Herwegh, and Richard Wagner. He soon began to consider himself one of the most renowned German poets.
Works and Achievements
Julius Mosen authored several historical plays, including "Heinrich der Fünfte," "Cola Rienzi," "Bräute von Florenz," "Wendelin und Helene," and "Kaiser Otto III." The last four were presented at his theater in 1842 and were well-received by the public, being performed at the Royal Court Theater in Dresden. In recognition of his contributions to German theater, the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Jena awarded him an honorary doctorate.
Mosen also tried his hand at fiction writing. His only political-historical novel, "Der Kongress von Verona," was published in 1842. He also wrote a collection of short stories, "Bilder im Moose," which was published in 1846.
In 1844, August Paul Friedrich, the Grand Duke of Oldenburg, offered Mosen the position of dramaturge at the Court Theater in Oldenburg. Julius accepted the offer in hopes of implementing his vision of a German national theater. It was during this period that he changed his surname from "Moses" to "Mosen," as mandated by the Dresden government.
In 1846, Mosen was paralyzed by rheumatism, confining him to his bed for the rest of his life. He passed away on October 10, 1867. He was buried at the cemetery near the St. Gertrude Chapel in Oldenburg.
Among Mosen's later works, notable mentions go to "Die Dresdner Gemäldegallerie," "Herzog Bernhard," and "Der Sohn des Fürsten." His complete works were published in eight volumes, titled "Sämtliche Werke," in 1863. His son later reissued the collection in six volumes, this time including a biography, in 1880. The three main themes that consistently featured in Mosen's life and works were his love for his homeland, the fight for freedom, and the now-destroyed German-Jewish symbiosis.
