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Conrad Ferdinand Meyer | |
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| Born | (1825-10-11)11 October 1825 |
| Died | 28 November 1898(1898-11-28) (aged 73) Kilchberg, Switzerland |
| Occupation | Poet,historical novelist |
| Language | German |
| Nationality | Swiss |
| Citizenship | 1867-1887 |
| Genres | Poetic realism,expressionism,comic novel,historical fiction |
Conrad Ferdinand Meyer (11 October 1825 – 28 November 1898) was a Swisspoet andhistorical novelist,[1] a master ofliterary realism who is mainly remembered for stirring narrative ballads like "Die Füße im Feuer" (The Feet in the Fire).
Meyer was born inZürich. His father, who died early, was a statesman and historian, while his mother was a highly cultured woman. Throughout his childhood two traits were observed that later characterized the man and the poet: he had a most scrupulous regard for neatness and cleanliness, and he lived and experienced more deeply in memory than in the immediate present.[2] He suffered from bouts of mental illness, sometimes requiring hospitalization; his mother, similarly but more severely afflicted, killed herself.[citation needed]
Having finished thegymnasium, he took up the study of law, but history and the humanities were of greater interest to him.[2] He went for considerable periods toLausanne,Geneva,Paris, andItaly, where he interested himself in historical research. The two historians who influenced Meyer particularly wereLouis Vulliemin at Lausanne andJacob Burckhardt atBasel, whose book on theCulture of the Renaissance stimulated his imagination and interest. From his travels in France and Italy (1857) Meyer derived much inspiration for the settings and characters of his historical novels.[3] In 1875, he settled atKilchberg, above Zürich.[4]
Meyer found his calling only late in life; for many years, being practically bilingual, he wavered between French and German. TheFranco-Prussian War brought the final decision. In Meyer's novels, a great crisis often releases latent energies and precipitates a catastrophe. In the same manner, his own life which before the war had been one of dreaming and experimenting, was stirred to the very depths by the events of 1870. Meyer identified himself with the German cause, and as a manifesto of his sympathies published the little epicHutten's Last Days in 1871.[3] After that his works appeared in rapid succession. In 1880, he received an honorary doctorate from theUniversity of Zurich. He died in his home inKilchberg on 28 November 1898, aged 73.[2]
His works were collected into eight volumes in 1912.
The periods of theRenaissance andCounter Reformation furnished the subjects for most of his novels. Most of his plots spring from the deeper conflict between freedom and fate and culminate in a dramatic crisis in which the hero, in the face of a great temptation, loses his moral freedom and is forced to fulfill the higher law of destiny.[3]
Meyer's main works are historical novellas:
It is as a master of narrativeballads, often on historical themes, that Meyer is mostly remembered. His fiction also typically focuses on key historical moments from theMiddle Ages, theReformation andCounter-Reformation.
Meyer's lyric verse is almost entirely the product of his later years.[2] He frequently celebrated human handiwork, especially works of art.Rome and the monumental work ofMichelangelo were among decisive experiences in his life.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Meyer, Konrad Ferdinand".Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 18 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 349.
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