Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) was a German poet, dramatist, novelist, and statesman. He studied law in Leipzig and Strasbourg and moved to Weimar in 1775 at the invitation of Duke Carl August, where he held various administrative and cultural offices. Early works such as “Götz von Berlichingen” and “The Sorrows of Young Werther” established him as an important figure of the Sturm und Drang movement. Together with Friedrich Schiller, he shaped Weimar Classicism. His best-known works include “Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship,” “Elective Affinities,” and “Faust.” Goethe also pursued an extensive interest in the natural sciences, including botany, mineralogy, and optics.