Johann Wilhelm Ludwig Gleim

Gleim, Johann Wilhelm Ludwig (Ermsleben, 1719-1803, Halberstadt), was a student at Halle, where he met Uz and Götz. The three friends developed a stylized and completely unsensual poetry in praise of love, wine, and song modelled ostensibly on Anacreon (see Anakreontik). Gleim's Anacreontic poems were published as Versuch in scherzhaften Liedern in 1744-5 and 1749 (critical edn. by A. Anger, 1964). The purely formal and social quality of this poetry is confirmed in Gleim's own words to E. von Kleist: ‘Wir, die wir von Wein und Liebe gesungen, aber wenig getrunken und wenig geliebt haben.’

In 1745 Gleim saw something of war when, as secretary, he accompanied Prince Wilhelm von Brandenburg-Schwedt in the Second Silesian War (see Schlesische Kriege). After a short period in the service of Prince Leopold von Dessau, he became in 1747 a canon of Halberstadt, where he spent the remainder of his life. His poetic reputation was greatly enhanced by the publication, during the Seven Years War (see Siebenjähriger Krieg), of a volume of patriotic Prussian poetry, Kriegs und Siegeslieder der Preußen von einem preußischen Grenadier (1758), later reissued under the title Preußische Kriegslieder in den Feldzügen 1756 und 1757 von einem Grenadier. The original title implies that the poems were composed by a grenadier (who appears to have enjoyed a classical education). Though the Kriegslieder were enthusiastically received, even by so good a judge as Lessing, their inflated style and obviously derivative character soon became evident. Gleim's significance as poet ends with this collection. A few years later he introduced Anna Louisa Karsch into the literary world by publishing her poetry. In old age he was best known for his hospitality and generosity to young writers, earning the affectionate name Vater Gleim. Sämtliche Werke were edited by W. Körte (8 vols., 1811-41, reissued 1970); Gedichte, ed. J. Stenzel, appeared in 1969.

Johann Wilhelm Ludwig Gleim (2 April 1719 – 18 February 1803) was a German poet.

Ludwig Gleim

Gleim was born at Ermsleben near Halberstadt. Having studied law at the university of Halle he became secretary to Prince William of Brandenburg-Schwedt at Berlin, where he made the acquaintance of Ewald von Kleist, whose devoted friend he became. When the prince fell at the battle of Prague, Gleim became secretary to Prince Leopold of Dessau; but he soon gave up his position, not being able to bear the roughness of the "Old Dessauer".

After residing a few years in Berlin he was appointed, in 1747, secretary of the cathedral chapter at Halberstadt. Father Gleim was the title accorded to him throughout all literary Germany on account of his kind-hearted though inconsiderate and undiscriminating patronage alike of the poets and poetasters of the period. He wrote a large number of feeble imitations of Anacreon, Horace and the minnesingers, a dull didactic poem entitled Halladat oder das rote Buch (1774), and collections of fables and romances.

Of higher merit are his Preussische Kriegslieder von einem Grenadier (1758). These, which were inspired by the campaigns of Frederick II, are often distinguished by genuine feeling and vigorous force of expression. They are also noteworthy as being the first of that long series of noble political songs in which later German literature is so rich. With this exception, Gleim's writings are for the most part tamely commonplace in thought and expression. He died at Halberstadt on 18 February 1803.

Gleim's Sämtliche Werke appeared in 7 vols. in the years 1811–1813; a reprint of the Lieder eines Grenadiers was published by A Sauer in 1882. A good selection of Gleim's poetry will be found in Franz Muncker, Anakreontiker und preussisch-patriotische Lyriker (1894). See Wilhelm Körte, Gleims Leben aus seinen Briefen und Schriften (1811). His correspondence with Heinse was published in 2 vols (1894/1896), with Uz (1889), in both cases edited by C Schüddekopf.

References

•  "Gleim, Johann Wilhelm Ludwig". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). 1911. 

Persondata
NAME	Gleim, Johann Wilhelm Ludwig
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Gleim, Johann
SHORT DESCRIPTION	German poet
DATE OF BIRTH	April 2, 1719
PLACE OF BIRTH	Ermsleben, Germany
DATE OF DEATH	February 18, 1803
PLACE OF DEATH	Halberstadt, Germany

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