Johann Peter Eckermann facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Johann Peter Eckermann
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| Born | 21 September 1792 Winsen (Luhe), Harburg
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| Died | 3 December 1854 (aged 62) |
| Nationality | German |
| Occupation | poet, author |
| Known for | association with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe |
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Notable work
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Conversations with Goethe |
Johann Peter Eckermann (born September 21, 1792 – died December 3, 1854) was a German poet and writer. He is most famous for his book Conversations with Goethe. This book shares his talks and time spent with the very famous German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe during the last years of Goethe's life.
Contents
Biography
Johann Peter Eckermann was born in Winsen (Luhe), a town in Harburg. He came from a very poor family and had a difficult childhood with little money or comfort.
Early Life and Education
After growing up, Eckermann joined the army. He served as a volunteer in the War of Liberation from 1813 to 1814. After the war, he got a job as a secretary in the war department in Hanover.
Even though he was 25 years old, Eckermann went back to school in 1817. He first attended the gymnasium (a type of high school) in Hanover. Later, he went to the university of Göttingen to study law. However, he left the university in 1822 after only one year.
Meeting Goethe
Eckermann's life changed in 1823 when he met the famous writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Eckermann had sent Goethe a handwritten copy of his own book, Beiträge zur Poesie (which means Contributions to Poetry).
Soon after, Eckermann moved to Weimar. There, he earned money by working as a private tutor. For several years, he also taught the son of the grand duke. In 1830, he even traveled to Italy with Goethe's son. In 1838, Eckermann was given the special title of grand-ducal councillor. He was also made the librarian for the grand-duchess.
Writings
Johann Peter Eckermann is mainly remembered for his important book, Conversations with Goethe. This book helps us learn a lot about the great poet Goethe. The first two parts of the book came out in 1836, and the third part was published in 1848.
Working with Goethe's Works
Goethe trusted Eckermann a lot. He asked Eckermann to publish his Nachgelassene Schriften, which means his posthumous (published after death) works. These were published between 1832 and 1833. Eckermann also worked with Friedrich Wilhelm Riemer to edit a complete collection of Goethe's works. This large collection had 40 volumes and was published from 1839 to 1840.
Eckermann's Gespräche mit Goethe has been translated into many languages around the world. Some English translations were made by Margaret Fuller in 1839 and John Oxenford in 1850.
Besides this famous work, Eckermann also published a book of his own poems called Gedichte in 1838. He passed away in Weimar on December 3, 1854.
See also
In Spanish: Johann Peter Eckermann para niños
