WIELAND, velant, Cluistoph Martin. German author: b. in the Swabian village of Oberholzheim, near Biberach, 5 Sept. 1733; d. Weimar, 20 Jan. 1813. The son of a country clergyman, after thorough preparation, he went in 1750 to the University of Tubingen to study law, but most of his time was devoted to belk.r Icttrcs. In 1751 appeared his 'Zwolf Moral ische Bride,' which met with very favorable reception. He also wrote at this time the di dacuc poem, 'Anti 0‘id.' In 1752 he went to Zurich as a literary companion to J. J. Bodmer (q.v.). Inspired by the deeds of Frederick the Great to write a poem exhibiting the ideal of a hero, he chose the story of Cyrus. The first five cantos appeared in 1759, but the poem re mained unfinished. About this time he pub lished 'Araspes and Panthea,' an episode from the 'Cyropmdia' of Xenophon. After a brief residence he left Bodmer's house, became a tutor, and in 1760 returned to Biberads. In 1762 he went to live with Count Stadion. an ac complished scholar, but a thorough man of the world, averse to all religious enthusiasm. Vs te land had been prone to religious mysticism; but the gay pleasure-seeking life of the soaety with which he now came in contact, and the scepti cal and cynical kind of literature now most at his command, produced an entire change of sentiment. The first indication of this new philosophy of life appears in the tale of 'Na dine,' which he styles a composition in Prior's manner. This was followed in 1764 by 'Die Abenteuer des Don Svlvio de Rosalva' ('The Adventures of Don Sylvia dc Rasalva' ). a work for which [kin Quixote serses as model. In 1766-67 appeared his 'Agathon,' which es tablished his reputation The 'llusarion' (1708), a production distinguished for grace, ease and harmony, advocates a rational units of the sensual and spiritual. In 1770 he wrote 'Die Grazier') ('The Graccs'); and the 'New Amadis' in 1771, a poem which cekbrates the triumph of intellectual over mere physical beauty. In 1769 he was appointed proles:et of philosophy at the University of Erfurt. In his 'Verkhgter Amor' ('Cupid Accused') he defended amatory poetry: and in the ' [halogen des Diogenes von Sinope' (1770) gave a general %indication of his phao sophical views. In 1772 he was invited to
NVeimar by the Duches, Anna Antalis as tutor to her two mink Tormoq his attention to dramatic poetry, he %tiro. t. the 'Wahl des Her cules' ('Choice of Hercules'), and the 'Al ceste.' He also edited the Mercur,' a monthly, which he conducted till near the close of his life. His views, as exhibited therein, however, showed so much of the nar row conventional spirit of French criticism, that he was attacked by Goethe in the satire Helden und Wieland' Heroes and Wieland'). This Wieland answered with mat good nature, recommending it to all-who were fond of wit and sarcasm. Goethe and Herder were soon drawn to Weimar, where the Duchess Anna Amalia formed a circle of talent and genius, later also joined by Schiller. In 1774 appeared the der Abderiten,' in which Wieland sought with an engaging wit to correct the provincialism of his time. 'Oberon' (1780), a romantic epic, is the most finished of his works. Wieland also prepared translations of Horace, Lucian and the (Let ters' of Cicero. His translations of Shakes peare (1762-66), made the English poet °an open book for Germans.' He superintended (1794-1802) an edition of his (Works' in 45 volumes. These were also edited by Gruber (1818-28 and 1867-75), and there are many editions of selections, some of which have been translated into English. Wieland's place in literature in a sense falls within the group headed by Goethe, Schil ler and Lessing; not so stellar as these, he was )et singularly attuned to his time. A veritable German Voltaire, his influence, exerted espe cially through the (Deutscher Mercur,' was immense. Of facile and incessant wit, no other writer had more to do with shaping the Ger man language to elegant expression. This ex plains the delight with which the work of Wie land was met in his day. Consult Locbell, 'Entwickelung der Deutschen Poesic' (1858) ; Ranke, (Zur Beurtheilung \Vielands' (1885) ; Hirzel, 'Wieland's Beziehungen zu den deutscher Romantilcern' ; Lenz, W., (Wieland's Verhaltniss zu Spenser, Pope, und Swift' ; and Gruber's biography, with his editions.