Dach, Simon (Memel, 1605-59, Königsberg) a lyric poet, became a schoolmaster in Königsberg in 1633, and professor of poetry at the university in 1639. By nature retiring, he led an uneventful life and mingled principally with the group of citizens who wrote poetry in their spare time and formed the so-called Königsberg school (see Königsberger Dichterschule). Shortly before his death, the Great Elector (see Friedrich Wilhelm, der Grosse Kurfürst) granted Dach a small estate.

Dach was gifted musically, as well as poetically. Much of his poetry is occasional, written to order for weddings or funerals, christenings or graduations, and provided him with a small income to supplement his meagre stipend. The most famous poem associated with his name, ‘Ännchen von Tharau’, is now regarded as probably the work of Dach's friend Heinrich Albert, who certainly composed the tune. In addition to lyrical and occasional poetry, Dach wrote two plays, Cleomedes (1635) and Sorbuisa (also known as Prussiarchus, 1644), with music (now lost) by Albert; the latter Singspiel was performed by students to celebrate the centenary of the university. Poetische Werke, Königsberger Ausgabe of 1696, was reprinted in 1970, Werke, Tübinger Ausgabe of 1876, in 1977; Gedichte (4 vols.), ed. W. Ziesemer, appeared in 1936-8, and Simon Dach und der Königsberger Dichterkreis, ed. A. Kelletat, in 1986.

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