Gellert, CHRISTIAN FÜRCHTEGOTT

Gellert, CHRISTIAN FÜRCHTEGOTT, a German poet and moralist, was born July 4, 1715, at Hainichen, in the Erzgebirge, Saxony, and was educated at the university of Leipzig. After spending some years in teaching, in 1751 he received a professorship at Leipzig, where he lectured on poetry, eloquence, and morals, to large and enthusiastic audiences, until his death, 13th December 1769. His importance in German literature is due to the fact that around him gathered those who revolted against the pedantries and frigid formalities of Gottsched and his school, and thus pioneered the way for the more brilliant reaction of Goethe and Schiller. Gellert came to occupy this position partly on account of his writings, but more on account of his personal character. A man of sincere piety, a moral enthusiast, and with a genuinely good kind heart, he was beloved by his students, and they carried his authority beyond the walls of his lecture-room. His writings consist principally of Fabeln und Erzählungen and Geistliche Lieder, both sets great favourites from the simplicity and naturalness of their style, and, in the case of the latter, their unaffected piety. His Sämtliche Werke appeared in 10 vols. in 1769-74; new ed. 1867. See his Life by Döring (1833).