Dictionary.net

A German poet; born in Breslau, Dec. 25, 1617; died there, April 18, 1679. After traveling through England, France, and Italy, he returned to Breslau, and although not of legal age was chosen to the legislative chamber, of which he afterwards became the presiding officer. He was in the diplomatic service for a time. His literary work comprises odes, epigrams, wedding songs, and the like. His "Occasional Poems" and "Hero Letters" are admirable, although betraying English influence. He was the great reformer of what is known as the Silesian school of poetic art, and may be said to have founded a distinct movement in German literature.