Johann W. von Goethe

born 28 August 1749 in Frankfurt am Main
died 22 March 1832 after a life of extraordinary productivity in Weimar                    
© Goethe Zeitportal

1765-1771 studies law at the universities of Leipzig and Strasbourg
1773 publishes the play "Götz von Berlichingen" which makes him a main representative of the "Sturm und Drang"-movement
1775  at the call of Karl August, Duke of Saxe-Weimar, he moves to Weimar where he holds a series of political offices, becoming the Duke's chief adviser; he is closely connected with the unhappily married court lady Charlotte von Stein with whom he shares a unique spiritual love, which is witnessed by numerous letters and verses
1786-1790 travels Italy where he undertakes scientific researches and gets inspired by landscape and architecture; publishes "Iphigenia in Tauris", "Egmont", "Torquato Tasso"
1794-1805   friendship with Schiller; together they develop the "Weimar-Classic"-Style  
1806   marries Christiane Vulpius 
1808 publishes "Faust, Part 1" and creates a sensation with it. Faust is to be completed in stages, and only published in its entirety after Goethe's death. Faust becomes the myth of many figures in the 19th century and inspires musicians and writers  
1810 Goethe considers his "Theory of Colours" to be his most significant contribution to science and respected it above all of his literary work
1832 Faust, Part 2

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