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A German miscellaneous writer; born at Bredenbeck, near Hanover, Oct. 16, 1752; died at Bremen, May 6, 1796. The most important of his works, "On Converse with Men" (2 vols., 1788), gave maxims and rules for the conduct of life, of which it showed profound knowledge. "The Journey to Brunswick" (1839, illustrated) was a humorous novel, and has frequently been reprinted. "The Romance of My Life" (4 vols., 1781; new ed. 1805) has been a great favorite. He was one of the "Illuminati"; and published a defense of Illuminism in his adept's-name "Philo". ("Works", 12 vols., 1804-06.)