BURGER Gottfried August

Burger, Gottfried August (Brger, Gottfried August) (1747-1794), German poet. Born December 31, 1747 near Halberstadt. He studied theology in Halle (since 1764) and law at the University of GцІttingen (since 1768). Served 12 years, a clerk in the district administration, in 1784 - Associate Professor University of GцІttingen, lectured on aesthetics. In recent years, Burger's life were marred by failed third marriage, poverty, disease and harsh criticism of Friedrich Schiller's attacks on his work.
Burger is primarily known for its ballads, raised the genre of German folk poetry to the level of genuine art. Most famous for his "Lenore" (Lenore, 1773), translated into English by W. Scott and the Russian language - VA Zhukovsky (1831) and was very popular in Europe. Skillfully using onomatopoeia, refrain, and dialogue, the poet achieves unsurpassed verve story. From the late well-known Burger's ballad "Song of the brave" (Das Lied vom braven Manne, 1777) and "The daughter of a pastor Taubenhayna" (Des Pfarrers Tochter von Taubenhain, 1781). Lyrics Burger earned critics were very much appreciated, although it is less popular than his ballads. Among his translations - Shakespeare's Macbeth, fragments of the Iliad and the Odyssey. Burger died in Gottingen June 8, 1794.