Ferdinand Raimund facts for kids

Ferdinand Raimund, a famous Austrian playwright and actor.

A special plaque marks Ferdinand Raimund's birthplace in Vienna.

The Ferdinand Raimund monument in Vienna.

Ferdinand Raimund (born Ferdinand Jakob Raimann; 1 June 1790 – 5 September 1836) was a well-known Austrian actor and playwright. He wrote many popular plays that are still enjoyed today.

His Life and Famous Plays

Ferdinand Raimund was born in Vienna. His father was a master craftsman who worked with wood. In 1811, Ferdinand started acting at the Theater in der Josefstadt. Later, in 1817, he performed at the Leopoldstädter Theater.

Raimund began writing his own plays in 1823. His first play was called Der Barometermacher auf der Zauberinsel. This means The Barometer-Maker on the Magic Island. After that, he wrote Der Diamant des Geisterkönigs (The Diamond of the Spirit King) in 1824.

Some of his most famous plays are still very popular. These include Der Bauer als Millionär (The Farmer as Millionaire) from 1826. Also, Der Alpenkönig und der Menschenfeind (The King of the Alps) from 1828 is a masterpiece. His play Der Verschwender (The Spendthrift) from 1834 also became very famous. A composer named Conradin Kreutzer wrote the music for this play.

Raimund's comedies are still performed often in Germany and Austria. They are known for their rich humor. He was very good at showing the everyday lives of people in Vienna. The famous Raimund Theater in Vienna is named after him.

Sadly, Ferdinand Raimund died at the age of 46. He was bitten by a dog and believed he had rabies. He passed away on 5 September 1836 in Pottenstein. Raimund is buried in Gutenstein, where there is a special memorial for him.

Famous Plays by Raimund

Here are some of Ferdinand Raimund's well-known plays:

• Der Barometermacher auf der Zauberinsel [de], 1823 (The Barometer-Maker on the Magic Island)
• Der Diamant des Geisterkönigs [de], 1824 (The Diamond of the Spirit King)
• Das Mädchen aus der Feenwelt oder Der Bauer als Millionär [de], 1826 (The Girl from the Fairy World or The Farmer as Millionaire)
• Die gefesselte Phantasie [de], 1828 (Fantasy in Chains)
• Moisasurs Zauberfluch [de], 1827 (Moisasur's Magic Curse)
• Der Alpenkönig und der Menschenfeind [de], 1828 (The King of the Alps and the Misanthrope)
• Die unheilbringende Zauberkrone [de] oder König ohne Reich, Held ohne Mut, Schönheit ohne Jugend, 1829 (The Ominous Magic Crown)
• Der Verschwender [de], 1834 (The Spendthrift). This play was even made into a film in 1953.