August Lafontaine

August Lafontaine

Born (1758-10-05)5 October 1758
Braunschweig, Germany
Died 20 April 1831(1831-04-20) (aged 72)
Halle (Saale), Germany
Occupation writer
Nationality German
Notable works Leben und Thaten des Freiherrn Quinctius Heymeran von Flaming

August Heinrich Julius Lafontaine (5 October 1758 – 20 April 1831) was a German novelist.

Biography

Lafontaine was born and brought up in Brunswick, the son of the court painter Ludolph Lafontaine and his fifth wife, the court maid-in-waiting Sophie Elisabeth Thorbrügge, and educated in Helmstedt, where he studied theology but took no degree.[1] He was a private tutor for several years until 1789. In 1792, he acted as a field chaplain in the Prussian army, and in 1800 settled in Halle. He became canon of the Magdeburg Cathedral as a reward for the dedication of one of his books to Friedrich Wilhelm III and Luise.[2][3]

Works

The popularity of his novels, which are sentimental and didactic tales of domestic life, was remarkable.[2] In his lifetime, he was the most popular German novelist, his works surpassing by far the popularity of his contemporary Goethe's.[1] He wrote over 150 volumes, using the pseudonyms Gustav Freier, Miltenberg or Selchow.[3] His novels' tone of conservative moralizing sentimentality was regarded with high favor at the court of Prussia.[4] Far less impressed was August Wilhelm Schlegel, writing in Athenaeum in May 1798: "He has indeed become a favourite writer. Lafontaine can never be more than that.... [for his work] lacks poetry, spirit, and romantic verve."[1] Among his more popular works are:[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Dirk Sangmeister, Der Lieblingsdichter der Nation..., article in German newspaper Die Zeit no. 31, 1999.
  2. 1 2 3  Gilman, D. C.; Thurston, H. T.; Colby, F. M., eds. (1905). "Lafontaine, August Heinrich Julius". New International Encyclopedia (1st ed.). New York: Dodd, Mead.
  3. 1 2  Rines, George Edwin, ed. (1920). "Lafontaine, August Heinrich Julius". Encyclopedia Americana.
  4.  "Lafontaine, August Heinrich Julius". Collier's New Encyclopedia. 1921.

External links

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