He was born in Marbach to a devoutly Protestant family. Initially intended for the priesthood, in 1773 he entered a military academy in Stuttgart and ended up studying medicine. His first play, The Robbers, was written at this time and proved very successful. After a brief stint as a regimental doctor, he left Stuttgart and eventually wound up in Weimar. In 1789, he became professor of History and Philosophy at Jena, where he wrote historical works.
Life and Career
During the last seventeen years of his life (1788–1805), Schiller developed a productive, if complicated, friendship with the already famous and influential Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. They frequently discussed issues concerning aesthetics, and Schiller encouraged Goethe to finish works that he had left as sketches. This relationship and these discussions led to a period now referred to as Weimar Classicism. Together, they founded the Weimar Theater.
They also worked together on Xenien, a collection of short satirical poems in which both Schiller and Goethe challenge opponents of their philosophical vision.
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Пройти тест IQ →Key Facts
- Born: November 10, 1759 in Marbach am Neckar, Duchy of Württemberg
- Died: 1805
- Field: Literature
Legacy and Impact
The influence of Friedrich Schiller extends far beyond their own lifetime. They fundamentally shaped literature and the written word, and their written works and literary innovations remain foundational to this day.
Though they passed away in 1805, their ideas continue to be studied, debated, and built upon by scholars and practitioners worldwide.
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