Heinrich Heine

Heinrich Heine (1797-1856) was one of the most important German poets and writers of the 19th century, a key figure in German Romanticism and a sharp social critic. Born Harry Heine in Düsseldorf to a Jewish family, he later converted to Christianity and changed his name to Heinrich, though he remained deeply conflicted about his Jewish identity throughout his life. Heine studied law but was drawn to literature and poetry. His early works, including "Buch der Lieder" (Book of Songs, 1827), established him as a major lyric poet. Many of his poems were set to music by composers like Franz Schubert, Robert Schumann, and Felix Mendelssohn, making them part of the German cultural canon. In 1831, Heine moved to Paris, where he spent the rest of his life in voluntary exile. From Paris, he worked as a correspondent for German newspapers, writing witty and often satirical observations about French society and German politics. His political views and Jewish heritage made him a target of German conservatives and anti-Semites. Heine's masterwork "Deutschland. Ein Wintermärchen" (Germany. A Winter's Tale, 1844) is a satirical epic poem that critiques German society and politics. His combination of romantic sensibility with sharp wit and social criticism was unique in German literature. He was also a pioneering journalist who helped develop the feuilleton style. Despite spending his final years bedridden with spinal paralysis, Heine continued writing until his death. His works were banned by the Nazis, but his influence on German literature and thought remains profound.