Dictionary.net

A German poet and novelist (1778-1842); born at Ehrenbreitstein. He wrote a "Life of the Virgin Mary", based on alleged revelations. Among the works of his early days are found some gems of lyric poetry; and his dramatic productions- "The Merry Musicians" (1803); "Ponce de Leon" (1804); "The Founding of Prague" (1815)-manifest great power. Some of his minor novels were very successful; among them "The Good Caspar and the Fair Annie" (1817), called by German critics "a masterpiece in miniature". His "Fairy Tales" did not appear till after his death.