Grimms' fairy tales, first published in 1812, remains the most enduring contribution of Wilhelm Grimm, a German writer and academic whose professional life was defined by a deep scholarly focus on linguistics and folklore. Born in Hanau in 1786, he maintained a lifelong personal and professional partnership with his older brother, Jacob, across several European cities.
Academic Foundations and Early Life
Wilhelm Carl Grimm entered the University of Marburg in 1803 to study law, following his brother Jacob. Though he suffered from a severe, persistent illness during his youth that impacted his physical strength, he remained intellectually active throughout his studies in Marburg and later at Frederick William University in Berlin. Throughout their lives, the brothers prioritized shared resources, frequently living in the same household and maintaining communal libraries.
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Grimm held various positions as a librarian, pedagogue, and university teacher, including significant tenures at the University of Göttingen and the Frederick William University in Berlin. During his time in Göttingen, he became one of the Göttinger Sieben, a group of seven professors who publicly protested against King Ernest Augustus of Hanover for constitutional violations. This political stance led to the dismissal of all seven members from their university posts.
Personal Life and Social Character
In 1825, Grimm married Henriette Dorothea Wild, the daughter of a pharmacist. The couple had four children: Jacob, Herman Friedrich, Rudolf Georg, and Barbara Auguste Luise Pauline Marie. Unlike his brother, who focused on broader investigations, Wilhelm demonstrated a gift for storytelling and a notable interest in music. Contemporaries often described him as a jovial, animated personality who engaged more frequently in social life than his sibling.
Final Years
During his career, Grimm gained membership in numerous prestigious institutions, including the Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences, the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities, and the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. He continued his work as a Germanist and jurist until his death in Berlin in 1859 at the age of 73. He died of an infection and was interred at the Alter St.-Matthäus-Kirchhof.
Fast facts
- Born: 1786, Hanau
- Died: 16 December 1859, Berlin
- Primary Occupations: Writer, librarian, jurist
- Notable Works: Grimms' fairy tales
- Spouse: Henriette Dorothea Wild
- Notable Membership: Göttinger Sieben
- Languages: German, Danish
- Religion: Reformed Christianity
Questions readers ask
Did Wilhelm Grimm work alone?
No, he collaborated extensively with his brother, Jacob Grimm, throughout their lives, living under the same roof and sharing their books and property.
Why was he fired from the University of Göttingen?
He was dismissed in 1837 as part of the Göttinger Sieben, a group of professors who protested against the King of Hanover for violating the constitution.
Achievements
- Notable work: Grimms' fairy tales
