Gleim

Gleim, JOHANN WILHELM LUDWIG, German poet, born at Ernsleben near Halberstadt, 2d April 1719, and died at Halberstadt on 18th February 1803. Besides writing a good deal of moderate poetry, he won for himself the affectionate appellation of 'Father Gleim,' on account of the encouragement and assistance he lent to the fledgling poets and poetasters of the day. But his efforts to encourage German literature, though sincere and well intentioned, were often the reverse of judicious and discriminating. His patriotic Lieder eines Preussischen Grenadiers, by their genuineness of feeling and force of expression, do rise above the general level of his other productions—odes in imitation of Horace and Anacreon, rhymed fables and romances, and songs. His collected works appeared at Halberstadt in 7 vols. in 1811–13, with a supplementary volume in 1841 (Leip.). See Körte, Gleims Leben (1811).