Friedrich Schlegel

Friedrich Schlegel (1772–1829) was a German writer, literary critic, and philosopher, and one of the leading figures of Jena Early Romanticism. He studied law, history, philosophy, and philology in Göttingen and Leipzig and worked as a freelance writer from 1793. Together with his brother August Wilhelm, he published the journal Athenaeum. Schlegel developed the concept of “progressive universal poetry,” which aimed to combine different literary genres. His 1799 novel Lucinde caused a scandal because of its modern form and emancipated female protagonist. He later lectured in several cities and served in the Austrian civil service.