Der ewige Tag, published by Ernst Rowohlt in January 1911, stands as the sole poetry collection Georg Heym witnessed in print during his lifetime. The volume emerged from a period of intense artistic output within the Berlin literary scene, cementing his status as an early voice of Expressionism before his untimely death at age twenty-five.
Early Education and Rebellion
Born in 1887 in Jelenia Góra to Hermann and Jenny Heym, Georg Theodor Franz Artur Heym maintained a contentious relationship with his middle-class upbringing. His academic trajectory took him through several institutions, including the Altes Gymnasium Neuruppin, before he commenced legal studies. Between 1907 and 1910, he attended the Universities of Würzburg, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Jena. Throughout these years, he resisted professional conformity, often prioritizing his creative ambitions over the expectations of his law instructors.
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In 1910, Heym joined Der Neue Club, a literary circle introduced to him by Simon Guttmann. The group included figures such as Kurt Hiller, Jakob van Hoddis, and Erwin Loewenson, with frequent attendance from Gottfried Benn and Else Lasker-Schüler. During the club’s Neopathetisches Cabaret meetings, Heym successfully debuted his verse. This environment provided a necessary platform for his work, which was largely ignored by mainstream publishers at the time.
Professional Output and Sudden Death
Heym held various judicial positions, though his lack of deference toward authority ensured these roles remained brief. His literary output remained prolific, spanning poetry, drama, and prose. His dramatic work includes Der Athener Ausfahrt, while his prose includes Der Dieb. Ein Novellenbuch. On 16 January 1912, while skating on the frozen river Havel with Ernst Balcke, Heym attempted to rescue his friend after Balcke fell through the ice. Both men drowned in the attempt. Heym was later buried at Luisenfriedhof III.
Fast facts
- Born: 1887, Jelenia Góra
- Died: 16 January 1912, Gatow
- Education: University of Würzburg, University of Jena, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- Membership: Corps Rhenania Würzburg
- First Book: Der ewige Tag, 1911
- Nationality: Kingdom of Prussia
Questions readers ask
What was Georg Heym's primary literary contribution?
He is recognized for his poetry, which serves as a definitive example of early German Expressionism.
How did Georg Heym die?
He drowned in the river Havel in 1912 while attempting to save his friend, Ernst Balcke, who had fallen through the ice.
