Dictionary.net

A German historian and poet; born in Neidenburg, East Prussia, Jan. 19, 1821; died at Munich, May 1, 1891. He studied severely at Konigsberg and at home, and wrote essays of deep scholarship; "Socialistic Elements in Goethe's Wilhelm Meister"; a tragedy, "The Death of Tiberius", of the ripest historical learning; "Corsica"; and other most authoritative books of travel and description, based on close personal study. He wrote also "Euphorion", an epic, and other poems of high repute. But his historical works, of unsurpassed learning and vivid realization of the spirit of their times, are the most commanding monument of his genius. "The City of Rome in the Middle Ages", "Lucretia Borgia", "Urban VIII"., "The Monuments of the Popes", and "Athenais", need but be named.