Varnhagen von Ense, KARL AUGUST, German biographer, was born at Düsseldorf, 21st February 1785. He studied first medicine, then philosophy, at Berlin and Halle, aided Chamisso in his Musenalmanach, joined the Austrian army and was severely wounded at Wagram, served as adjutant to Prince Bentheim, and in 1813 entered the Russian service, and became adjutant to Tettenhorn, accompanying him to Paris. Here he was called to the Prussian diplomatic service, and accompanied Hardenberg to the Congress of Vienna (1814) and to Paris, becoming next resident minister at Carlsruhe. Recalled hence in 1819, he lived chiefly at Berlin thereafter, till his death, 10th October 1858. He had married in 1814 the charming Jewess, Rahel (q.v.). His chief works are critical biographies, written in graceful and polished style.
Of his many books may be named Goethe in den Zeugnissen der Mitlebenden (1823); Biographische Denkmäler (5 vols. 1824-30); Denkwürdigkeiten und vermischte Schriften (7 vols. 1843-46; vols. 8 and 9 ed. by his niece, Ludmilla Assing, 1859). His Tagebücher fill 14 vols. (1861-70); an edition of his Ausgewählte Schriften alone, 19 vols. (1871-77). His correspondence also has been published, with A. and W. von Humboldt, &c.