Daniel Lessmann
Encyclopedia
Daniel Lessmann German historian and poet.
Born to Jewish parents, he attended Joachimsthal and went on to study medicine in Berlin
. His studies were put on hold in 1813 when he joined the volunteers against Napoleon. He was wounded at the Battle of Lutzen
(May 2, 1813), recovered, and remained in service until the end of the war.
After the war he continued his medical studies and became a private tutor in Vienna
in 1820, then in Verona
in 1823. He settled in Berlin in 1824 to devote himself to freelance writing and contributed to the more important literary journals of the Restoration period. His work consisted of historical essays, short stories, poetry, and scenes of life in the southern countries he had visited. A collection of poems were published in Berlin in 1824 under the title, “Amathusia”.
His literary work was influenced by Heinrich Heine
, whom he became acquainted with and whose letters to Moses Moser frequently mention the aspiring writer. Lessmann took part in various literary circles and was a witty storyteller. His prose work include “Louise von Halling,” 1827, which was read by Goethe, and “Die Heidemuhle,” published several years after his death. His translations of “The Nun of Monza” by Gioachino Rossini and “The Betrothed” by Alessandro Manzoni
were major contributions to the introduction of modern Italian literature to Germany. He also wrote several volumes of history, some of which are only found in manuscript form.
In the seven years of his publishing career (1824–1830) Lessmann became deeply depressed as his aspirations of becoming a great literary figure were dulled by a disappointed public. In 1824 Lessmann converted to Christianity. According to a letter from Moser to Heine he converted so that he might realize his hopes of literary success. The conversion did nothing to boost his literary career and his situation seemed hopeless. In 1831, on a walk from Berlin to Leipzig
and Dresden
with a new manuscript, trying to find a publisher, Lessmann hanged himself.
Translation of Manzoni’s The Betrothed
Translation of Rossini’s The Nun of Monza
Louise von Halling, 1827
Cisalpine Leaves, 1828
Stories, 1828–30
The Hiking Book of a Melancholy, 1831/32
The Forest Mill, 1833
Bibliography: Gödeke, Grundr. der Deutschen Literatur, iii. 730-732;
Gubitz, Errinnerungen, iii. 1-7, Berlin, 1869;
L. Geiger, Daniel Lessmann, in Allg. Deutsche Biog. xviii. 451-453;
Strodtmann, Heine, i. 319;
Brümmer, Dichterlexikon.
Born to Jewish parents, he attended Joachimsthal and went on to study medicine in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
. His studies were put on hold in 1813 when he joined the volunteers against Napoleon. He was wounded at the Battle of Lutzen
Battle of Lützen
Two major battles were fought at Lützen:*Battle of Lützen *Battle of Lützen...
(May 2, 1813), recovered, and remained in service until the end of the war.
After the war he continued his medical studies and became a private tutor in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
in 1820, then in Verona
Verona
Verona ; German Bern, Dietrichsbern or Welschbern) is a city in the Veneto, northern Italy, with approx. 265,000 inhabitants and one of the seven chef-lieus of the region. It is the second largest city municipality in the region and the third of North-Eastern Italy. The metropolitan area of Verona...
in 1823. He settled in Berlin in 1824 to devote himself to freelance writing and contributed to the more important literary journals of the Restoration period. His work consisted of historical essays, short stories, poetry, and scenes of life in the southern countries he had visited. A collection of poems were published in Berlin in 1824 under the title, “Amathusia”.
His literary work was influenced by Heinrich Heine
Heinrich Heine
Christian Johann Heinrich Heine was one of the most significant German poets of the 19th century. He was also a journalist, essayist, and literary critic. He is best known outside Germany for his early lyric poetry, which was set to music in the form of Lieder by composers such as Robert Schumann...
, whom he became acquainted with and whose letters to Moses Moser frequently mention the aspiring writer. Lessmann took part in various literary circles and was a witty storyteller. His prose work include “Louise von Halling,” 1827, which was read by Goethe, and “Die Heidemuhle,” published several years after his death. His translations of “The Nun of Monza” by Gioachino Rossini and “The Betrothed” by Alessandro Manzoni
Alessandro Manzoni
Alessandro Francesco Tommaso Manzoni was an Italian poet and novelist.He is famous for the novel The Betrothed , generally ranked among the masterpieces of world literature...
were major contributions to the introduction of modern Italian literature to Germany. He also wrote several volumes of history, some of which are only found in manuscript form.
In the seven years of his publishing career (1824–1830) Lessmann became deeply depressed as his aspirations of becoming a great literary figure were dulled by a disappointed public. In 1824 Lessmann converted to Christianity. According to a letter from Moser to Heine he converted so that he might realize his hopes of literary success. The conversion did nothing to boost his literary career and his situation seemed hopeless. In 1831, on a walk from Berlin to Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
and Dresden
Dresden
Dresden is the capital city of the Free State of Saxony in Germany. It is situated in a valley on the River Elbe, near the Czech border. The Dresden conurbation is part of the Saxon Triangle metropolitan area....
with a new manuscript, trying to find a publisher, Lessmann hanged himself.
Selected works
Amathusia, 1824Translation of Manzoni’s The Betrothed
Translation of Rossini’s The Nun of Monza
Louise von Halling, 1827
Cisalpine Leaves, 1828
Stories, 1828–30
The Hiking Book of a Melancholy, 1831/32
The Forest Mill, 1833
Bibliography: Gödeke, Grundr. der Deutschen Literatur, iii. 730-732;
Gubitz, Errinnerungen, iii. 1-7, Berlin, 1869;
L. Geiger, Daniel Lessmann, in Allg. Deutsche Biog. xviii. 451-453;
Strodtmann, Heine, i. 319;
Brümmer, Dichterlexikon.