Christian Hoffmann von Hoffmannswaldau wrote at a period when the terms of literature itself were being argued over.
The record lists Christian Hoffmann von Hoffmannswaldau as Silesian poet, imperial counselor, council members of Breslau (1618-1679).
Christian Hoffmann von Hoffmannswaldau was born at Wrocław in 1616. His recorded nationality is Germany. He was educated at Leiden University and Elisabeth-Gymnasium.
This was a period of expanding print and contested censorship, when writing became a public act with consequences.
He worked as poet, writer and politician.
The writing is recorded in German.
Books outlive their reviews, and the ones that last are seldom the ones that sold best.
That the work was written from Germany matters: language, censorship and the reach of a publishing industry decide which books travel and which stay local.
Christian Hoffmann von Hoffmannswaldau died in 1679, aged 63. The books remain, which is the only durable form a writing life takes.
