Johann P. Eckermann(1792-1854)
- Writer
Eckermann attended school irregularly between 1799 and 1808. He moved around with his father as a peddler. On his hikes he was impressed by the nature of the Lüneburg Heath, the Vierlande and the Elbmarsch. The mother worked as a wool spinner and seamstress. Eckermann grew up in poor circumstances. Because of his talent for drawing, Eckermann was supported and received private lessons in French, Latin and music. In 1808 he became an official clerk in Winsen and then moved to Lüneburg in 1810, a year later to Uelzen and in 1812 and 1813 to Bevensen. In 1813 he took part as a volunteer in the wars of liberation against France. In Flanders and Brabant he came into contact with Dutch painting, for which he was enthusiastic. After the war he moved to Hanover to become a painting student with the painter Rambach. But illness thwarted the plan. There in Hanover he instead worked as a registrar in the military administration, and he pursued his literary interests.
He read the works of Friedrich Schiller, William Shakespeare, Sophocles, Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock and Theodor Körner. And he started writing poetry himself. From 1815 he attended high school. Eckermann was impressed by Goethe's poems. In 1819 he became engaged to Johanna Betram from Northeim. In 1821 he began studying law in Göttingen, which was made possible with the support of patrons from Hanover. Shortly after switching to philology, the scholarship failed to materialize and Eckermann moved to Empelde in 1822. There he dedicated himself to writing poetry as a freelance writer. His work "Contributions to Poetry with Special Reference to Goethe" was published. The work later gave him access to Goethe. In May 1823, Goethe and his colleague Riemer received the work. Goethe reacted favorably to the work. Eckermann traveled to Weimar and was received by Goethe. Johann Peter Eckermann immediately received an order from him, which was followed by others.
Eckermann's "Contributions to Poetry" were printed by Cotta at Goethe's instigation. Eckermann stayed in Weimar and near Goethe. Even an offer from the international literary magazine "European Review" could not lure him away and thereby potentially initiate his own literary career. Goethe's commissions remained without payment. Eckermann gave lessons and did other work to earn his living. Among other things, he taught the future Grand Duke Carl Alexander from 1829 to 1835. In November 1825, due to Goethe's efforts, Eckermann received an honorary doctorate from the philosophy faculty at Jena University. In 1826, trips to Bleckede/Elbe, Hamburg, Stade and Hanover followed. In 1830 Eckermann made a trip to Italy with Goethe's son August. In 1831 he married his long-time fiancée, Johanna Betram. On March 26, 1834, their son Johann Friedrich Wolfgang was born. Shortly afterwards, Johanna Eckermann died. Son Karl later became a painter. Goethe commissioned Eckermann to organize and publish his letters and poems.
Together with his colleague Riemer, he was appointed in his will as administrator and editor of the literary estate. Eckermann wrote "Conversations with Goethe in the last years of his life". The now famous work covers the period from 1823 to 1832, during which Eckermann had conversations with his role model. Eckermann intended this work to create a literary work of art. During his lifetime, Goethe did not give him permission to have the work printed, even though it would have helped the author out of his difficult economic situation. They were only published in 1836 and give posterity an impressive picture of the poet prince in everyday life. Even his appointment as court councilor in 1843 did not improve his financial situation. The following year he had to flee Weimar because of his heavy debts. The Weimar court paid Eckermann's debts, so he returned there in May 1846. Nevertheless, the donations were only enough to support a poor existence in the residential city of Weimar. In addition to poverty, his declining health also bothered him. From 1836 onwards he repeatedly went on recreational trips or went on spa stays, for example in Hamburg, Heligoland or Norderney.
Johann Peter Eckermann died on December 3, 1854 in Weimar. He was buried next to the prince's crypt, which housed the remains of Goethe and Schiller.
He read the works of Friedrich Schiller, William Shakespeare, Sophocles, Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock and Theodor Körner. And he started writing poetry himself. From 1815 he attended high school. Eckermann was impressed by Goethe's poems. In 1819 he became engaged to Johanna Betram from Northeim. In 1821 he began studying law in Göttingen, which was made possible with the support of patrons from Hanover. Shortly after switching to philology, the scholarship failed to materialize and Eckermann moved to Empelde in 1822. There he dedicated himself to writing poetry as a freelance writer. His work "Contributions to Poetry with Special Reference to Goethe" was published. The work later gave him access to Goethe. In May 1823, Goethe and his colleague Riemer received the work. Goethe reacted favorably to the work. Eckermann traveled to Weimar and was received by Goethe. Johann Peter Eckermann immediately received an order from him, which was followed by others.
Eckermann's "Contributions to Poetry" were printed by Cotta at Goethe's instigation. Eckermann stayed in Weimar and near Goethe. Even an offer from the international literary magazine "European Review" could not lure him away and thereby potentially initiate his own literary career. Goethe's commissions remained without payment. Eckermann gave lessons and did other work to earn his living. Among other things, he taught the future Grand Duke Carl Alexander from 1829 to 1835. In November 1825, due to Goethe's efforts, Eckermann received an honorary doctorate from the philosophy faculty at Jena University. In 1826, trips to Bleckede/Elbe, Hamburg, Stade and Hanover followed. In 1830 Eckermann made a trip to Italy with Goethe's son August. In 1831 he married his long-time fiancée, Johanna Betram. On March 26, 1834, their son Johann Friedrich Wolfgang was born. Shortly afterwards, Johanna Eckermann died. Son Karl later became a painter. Goethe commissioned Eckermann to organize and publish his letters and poems.
Together with his colleague Riemer, he was appointed in his will as administrator and editor of the literary estate. Eckermann wrote "Conversations with Goethe in the last years of his life". The now famous work covers the period from 1823 to 1832, during which Eckermann had conversations with his role model. Eckermann intended this work to create a literary work of art. During his lifetime, Goethe did not give him permission to have the work printed, even though it would have helped the author out of his difficult economic situation. They were only published in 1836 and give posterity an impressive picture of the poet prince in everyday life. Even his appointment as court councilor in 1843 did not improve his financial situation. The following year he had to flee Weimar because of his heavy debts. The Weimar court paid Eckermann's debts, so he returned there in May 1846. Nevertheless, the donations were only enough to support a poor existence in the residential city of Weimar. In addition to poverty, his declining health also bothered him. From 1836 onwards he repeatedly went on recreational trips or went on spa stays, for example in Hamburg, Heligoland or Norderney.
Johann Peter Eckermann died on December 3, 1854 in Weimar. He was buried next to the prince's crypt, which housed the remains of Goethe and Schiller.