HERDER, Johann Gottfried von, yo han gOef red fon her'der, German critic and poet: b. Mohrungen, Prussia, 25 Aug. 1744; d. Wei mar, 18 Dec. 1803. He was the son of a poor schoolmaster, but friends procured him an ap pointment in Frederick's College, where he was at first tutor and at a later period instructor. During this period he became known to Kant, who permitted him to hear all his lectures gratis. His unrelaxing zeal and diligence en abled him to become acquainted with science, theology, philosophy, philology, natural and civil history and politics. In 1764 he was appointed an assistant teacher at the cathedral school of Riga, with which office that of a preacher was connected. In 1769 he went to Paris; he be came traveling tutor to the Prince of Holstein Oldenburg, but in Strassburg he was prevented from proceeding by a disease of the eyes; and here he became acquainted with Goethe, on whom he had a very decided influence. Herder had already published his 'Fragments on the More Modern German Literature,' his 'Critical Woods' (Kritische NAIlder), etc., which had gained him a considerable reputation, though he had not published anything of importance in theology; yet, while in Strassburg, he was invited to become court preacher, superintendent and consistorial councillor at Biickeburg, whither he proceeded in 1771. He soon made himself known as a distinguished theologian, and in i 1776 received an invitation to become court preacher, general superintendent and consis torial councillor at Weimar. This appointment was through the influence of Goethe. In 1801 he was made president of the high consistory, a place never before given to a person not a nobleman, and was subsequently made a noble by the Elector of Bavaria. As a theologian
Herder contributed to a better understanding of the historical and antiquarian part of the Old Testament. His 'Geist der hebraischen Poesie' is highly valued. He did much for the better appreciation of the classical authors, and his philosophical views of human character are full of instruction. His greatest work is his 'Ideen zur Philosophic der Geschichte der Menschheit> (1785 et seq.). In poetry Herder effected more by his various accomplishments, his vast knowledge and fine taste than by cre ative power; yet he has produced some charm ing songs; and his a collection of Span ish romances into a kind of epic, is one of the most popular poems of Germany.
HEREDIA, Jose Maria, Span ish-American poet: b. Santiago de Cuba, 31 Dec. 1803; d. Toluca, Mexico, 7 May 1839. He was graduated from the law department of the University of Havana in 1819; for taking part in the attempted revolution of 1823 was ban ished from Cuba, lived for two years in the United States and in 1825 removed to Mexico, where he held various civil, judicial and jour nalistic positions. His poetic works have been to some extent rendered into other languages. The 'Ode to Niagara' is well known. Heredia has been considered by many the greatest of Spanish-American poets. One of the best edi tions is that of Ponce de Leon, 'Obras Poeticas de Don Jose Maria de Heredia) (1875).