Matthaus Collin German playwright, brother of Heinrich Joseph Collin Date of Birth: 03.03.1779 Country: Austria

1. Early Life and Education
2. Academic Career and Artistic Pursuits
3. Literary Success and Royal Patronage
4. Later Years and Legacy

Early Life and Education

Heinrich Joseph von Collin was born in Vienna, Austria, on December 26, 1771. He was the son of Joseph von Collin, a successful merchant, and Barbara von Collin, née Weber. Heinrich Joseph had a younger brother, Matthäus, who also became a celebrated dramatist.

Heinrich Joseph received his early education at home, where he studied the classics, history, and philosophy. In 1790, he enrolled at the University of Vienna, where he studied law and philosophy. However, his interests soon shifted to literature and theater.

Academic Career and Artistic Pursuits

In 1793, Collin was appointed professor of philosophy at the University of Kraków. He taught there for four years, during which time he also pursued his literary ambitions. In 1797, he published his first play, "Der Tod Friedrichs des Streitbaren" ("The Death of Frederick the Warlike"), which was highly acclaimed for its dramatic power and historical accuracy.

In 1801, Collin was invited to join the faculty of the University of Vienna as professor of aesthetics. He taught there until 1809, when the university was closed due to the Napoleonic Wars. During this period, he wrote several more plays, including "Der Cid" (1803) and "Marius" (1804).

Literary Success and Royal Patronage

After the university was reopened in 1815, Collin was appointed tutor to the Duke of Reichstadt, the young son of Napoleon Bonaparte and Marie Louise von Habsburg. This prestigious position gave Collin access to the highest circles of society and allowed him to focus on his writing.

Between 1815 and 1817, Collin published four volumes of his collected plays under the title "Die Kuninger." These dramas were characterized by their historical themes, powerful language, and romantic sensibilities. They were widely admired and established Collin as one of the leading playwrights of his time.

Later Years and Legacy

In 1827, Collin published a collection of his poems under the title "Nachgelassene Gedichte" ("Posthumous Poems"). These poems reflected his introspective and philosophical nature.

Collin died in Vienna on July 28, 1811, at the age of 39. He left behind a significant body of work that continues to be studied and performed today. His plays, with their emotional intensity, historical insights, and lyrical beauty, remain a testament to the enduring power of Romantic drama.