Christian Johann Heinrich Heine
- Born:
- December 13, 1797, Düsseldorf, Holy Roman Empire
- Died:
- February 17, 1856, Paris, France
- Nationality:
- German
- Profession(s):
- Poet, Writer, Literary Critic, Journalist
Early Life and Education
- Born into a Jewish family in Düsseldorf.
- Initially destined for a career in commerce.
- Studied law at the Universities of Bonn, Göttingen, and Berlin.
- Received a doctorate in law from the University of Göttingen in 1825.
- Converted to Protestantism in 1825.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began his literary career in the early 1820s.
- Published his first collection of poems, Gedichte, in 1821.
- Worked as a journalist in Munich from 1828 to 1831.
- Moved to Paris in 1831, where he spent the rest of his life.
- Contributed to various German and French newspapers and journals.
- Received a French government pension in 1835.
Notable Works
- Gedichte (1821)
- Reisebilder (1826–1831)
- Buch der Lieder (1827)
- Französische Zustände (1833)
- Die romantische Schule (1836)
- Atta Troll: Ein Sommernachtstraum (1843)
- Deutschland. Ein Wintermärchen (1844)
Legacy and Impact
Christian Johann Heinrich Heine, often known simply as Heinrich Heine, was one of the most significant German poets of the 19th century. His lyrical poetry, often set to music by composers like Schubert and Schumann, remains widely popular. He also established himself as an influential journalist, political writer, and literary critic.