German branch Swiss literature

1 german branch

1.1 emergence of vernacular literature
1.2 eighteenth century
1.3 nineteenth century
1.4 twentieth century
1.5 historians

german branch
emergence of vernacular literature

first in order of date minnesingers, number of whom in districts formed part of medieval swiss confederation said have exceeded thirty. zürich (as now) chief literary centre of confederation. 2 manesses (father , son) collected many of songs in manuscript has happily come down , preserved in paris. prominent master john hadlaub, flourished in second half of 13th , first quarter of 14th centuries. next have long series of war songs, celebrating victories of swiss. 1 of earliest , famous of these composed hans halbsuter of lucerne commemorate battle of sempach (1386), not far native town. there other similar songs victory of näfels (1388) , of battle of grandson , battle of morat (both 1476) in burgundian war. in 14th century dominican friar ulrich boner of bern versified many old fables.

more important historical chronicles. in 14th century have christian kuchlmaster s continuation of annals of famous monastery of st gall, in 15th century rhymed chronicle of war between appenzellers , abbot of st gall, , rather later in same century chronicles of conrad justinger of bern , hans fründ (died 1469) of lucerne, besides fantastical chronicle of strattligen , scarcely less fanciful poem on supposed scandinavian descent of men of schwyz , of ober hasle, both elogius kiburger (died 1506) of berne.

in 15th century, too, have white book of sarnen , first william tell song, gave rise well-known legend, rather later play named urnerspiel dealing same subject. burgundian war witnessed great outburst of historical ardour in shape of chronicles written diebold schilling (died 1486) of bern, melchior russ (died 1499), diebold schilling younger (d. between 1516 , 1523) , petermann etterlin (died 1509), 3 of lucerne gerold edlibach (died 1530) of zürich, , johnanes lenz (died 1541) of brugg. in vernacular, too, earliest descriptions of confederation, albert von bonstetten of einsiedeln (1479) , conrad turst of zürich (1496), whom owe first map of country (1495–1497).

conrad gessner.

the swiss humanists wrote in latin, did swiss reformers, @ rate part, though zürich bible of 1531 exception. nicholas manuel (1484–1530), many-sided bernese, composed satirical poems in german against pope, while valerius anshelm (died 1540), of bern, wrote 1 of best swiss chronicles. aegidius tschudi of glarus, despite great literary activity, published single german work in lifetime, uralt warhafflig alpisch rhaetia sam pt dem tract der anderen alpgebirgen (1538) besides map of switzerland (same date). sebastian munster, swiss adoption, published (1544) cosmographia in german, work being translated latin in 1550. many-sided conrad gesner, born swiss, wrote works in latin, german translations appearing @ later date.

the first important original product in german remarkable , elaborate history , description of switzerland, issued in 1548 @ zürich johannes stumpf of town. josias simler, in way continuator, wrote works, theological , geographical, in latin. matthew merian engraved many plates, issued in series of volumes (1642–1688) under general title of topographia, earliest volume describing switzerland, while had text in german austrian, martin zeiller. characteristic of age autobiography of valais scholar thomas platter (1499–1582) , diary of still more distinguished son felix (1536–1614), both written in german, though not published till long after.

gradually swiss historical writers gave use of latin native tongue, michael stettler (1580–1642) of bern, franz haffner (1609–1671) of soleure, , quite number of grisons authors (though earliest in date, ulrich campell of süs, c. 1509–c. 1582, still clung latin), such bartholomäus anhorn (1566–1640) , son of same name (1616–1670) , johannes guler von wyneck (1562–1637). fortunat sprecher (1585–1647) preferred write pallas raetica in latin, did fortunat von juvalta (1567–1654?) in case of autobiography. autobiography of hans ardser of davos (1557-post 1614) , amusing dialogue between niesen , stockhorn hans rudolf rebmann (1566–1605) both in german. jean-baptiste plantin (1625–1697) wrote description of switzerland in latin, helvetia nova et antiqua (1656), johann jacob wagner s (1641–1695) guide switzerland in german, despite titles inder memorabilium helvetiae (1684) , mercurius helveticus (1688), though issued scientific description of native land in latin, historia naturalis helvetiae curiosa (1680).

eighteenth century

albrecht von haller

in 18th century intellectual movement in switzerland developed, though naturally influenced local characteristics. basel, bern , zürich chief literary centres. basel particularly distinguished mathematicians, such leonhard euler (1707–1783), , 3 members of bernoulli family refugees antwerp, brothers jakob (1654–1705) , johann (1667–1748), , latter s son daniel (1700–1782). chief literary glory isaac iselin (1728–1783), 1 of founders of helvetic society (1760) , of economical society (1777), , author of treatise on philosophy of history entitled geschichte dee menschheit (1764), , of on ideal politics, philosophische und patriotische trume eines menschenfreundes (1755), while many of economical tracts appeared (1776–1782) under general title of ephemeriden der menschheit. @ bern albrecht von haller, though distinguished scientific writer, yet poem die alpen (1732) , travels in native country did excite , stimulate love of mountain scenery. bernese, charles victor de bonstetten, type of gallicized liberal bernese patrician, while beat ludwig von muralt (1665–1749) analysed racial characteristics of other nations instruction of fellow-countrymen, lettres sur les anglais et les francais (1725) being principal work. samuel wyttenbach (1748–1830) devoted himself making known beauties of country natives, travelling , writing travels. gottlieb sigmund gruner wrote eisgebirge des schweizerlandes (1760), work describing ice-clad mountains of switzerland, though rather useftil compilation original contribution knowledge, decided advance on fellow bernese, johann georg altmanns (1697–1758) versuch einer historischen und physischen beschreibung dee helvetischen eisgebirge (1751). in department of knowledge son of albrecht von haller, gottlieb emmantiel von haller (1735–1786), compiled useful bibliography of writings relating swiss history, bibliothek dee schweizergeschichte (6 vols, 1784–1787), still indispensable historical student.

johann jakob scheuchzer

but in 18th century zürich undoubtedly intellectual , literary capital of german-speaking switzerland, , gained title of athens on limmat. 1 of earliest , famous celebrities jj scheuchzer, travelled in switzerland, , wrote (his travels described in latin) natural curiosities, being himself frs, , closely associated newton , other english scientific men of day. in purely literary domain names of jj bodmer , of friend johann jakob breitinger (1701–1776), prominent. united exertions antiquated traditions of german literature broken down large extent, while great praise bestowed on english poets, shakespeare, milton , others. views violently opposed gottsched, leader of saxon school, , controversy arose forms part of history of german literature. in 1721–1723 published jointly discourse der mater, periodical spread views, while more elaborate , systematic expositions of critical doctrine poetry bodmer s kritische abhandlung von dem wunderbaren in der poesie (1740), , breitinger s critische dichtkunst (also in 1740). untiring efforts helped prepare way later outburst of german literature begun klopstock, wieland , lessing. famous zürich writer solomon gesner, pastoral poet, , yet jk lavater, best remembered supporter of view face presents perfect indication of character , physiognomy may therefore treated science. other well-known zürich names of jh pestalozzi (1746–1827), educationalist, of johann caspar hirzel (1725–1803), of founders of helvetic society, , author of die wirthschaft eines philosophischen bauers (1761), , of johann georg sulzer (1720–1779), chief work 1 on laws of art or aesthetics, entitled allgemeine theorie der schönen kunste (1771–1774).

outside 3 towns named above there several writers of german-speaking switzerland must mentioned. 1 of best known johann georg zimmermann (1728–1795), betrachtungen fiber die einsamkeit (1756-1784/1785) profoundly impressed contemporaries. he, fabulist ae erhlich, born @ brugg. johannes von müller of schaffhausen, first attempted write (1780) detailed history of switzerland, which, though inspired rather love of freedom deep research, characteristic of times. jg ebel swiss adoption only, deserves mention author of first detailed guidebook country (1793), held ground till days of murray , baedeker. later writer, heinrich zschokke (1771–1848), swiss adoption only, produced (1822) history of switzerland written people, had great vogue.

nineteenth century

gottfried keller

in later literary history of german-speaking switzerland 3 names stand out above others: albert bitzius, known jeremias gotthelf first of numerous tales of peasant life in emmenthal, gottfried keller, perhaps genuinely swiss poet , novelist of century, , conrad ferdinand meyer, poet , novelist, of more cosmopolitan leanings , tastes. jakob burckhardt famous writer on italian art, while jakob frey (1824–1875) continued work of bitzius tales of swiss peasant life. ulrich hegner (1759–1840) of winterthur wrote novels full of local colour, case david hess (painter) (1770–1843) in description of cure @ baden in aargau , various tales. johann martin usteri (1763–1827) of zürich 1 of earliest write poems in native dialect.

later have number of zürich poets or versifiers, of writings have become known. such heinrich leuthold (1827–1879), august corrodi (1826–1885) , leonhard widmer (1808–1868), author of trittst im morgenrot daher (1842) (which, set music cistercian monk alberic zwyssig (1808–1854), known swiss psalm), of es lebt in jeder schweizerbrust (1842), , wo berge sich erheben (1844). bernese poet, johann rudolf wyss (1782–1830), father, johann david wyss (1743–1818), author of swiss family robinson, owe swiss national anthem, rufst du mein vaterland? , song, herz, mys herz, warum trurig?—while johann georg krauer (1792–1845), of lucerne, wrote rütlilied, von ferne sei herzlich gegrüßet, , gottfried keller himself responsible o mein heimatland. gottlieb jakob kuhn (1775–1845) wrote many poems in bernese dialect alps , inhabitants. less national in sentiment , more metaphysical lyrics of dranmor, pen-name of bernese ferdinand schmid (1823–1888).

among chief swiss writers in department of belles-lettres, novelists, poets, etc., may mentioned ernst zahn, meinrad lienert, arnold ott, carl spitteler, fritz marti, walther siegfried, adolf frey, hermann hesse, jakob christoph heer, joseph victor widmann, , gottfried strasser.

isabella kaiser wrote poems , stories. johanna spyri famous children s stories including heidi, fictional character living in swiss alps.

twentieth century

hermann hesse

the nobel prize literature awarded carl spitteler (1919) , hermann hesse (1946). robert walser decades after death in 1956 recognized 1 of great modern swiss novelists @ beginning of twentieth century. likewise, revival of works of travel writer , novelist annemarie schwarzenbach had wait 50 years after premature death in 1942. friedrich dürrenmatt playwright, author of philosophical crime novels , novellas. max frisch playwright, famous being considered greatest swiss novelist since walser. adolf muschg important essayist, peter bichsel , urs widmer write stories.

others worth mentioning melinda nadj abonji, sibylle berg, erika burkart, jürg federspiel, lukas hartmann, thomas hürlimann, franz hohler, zoë jenny, jürg laederach, hugo loetscher, niklaus meienberg, gerhard meier, milena moser, adolf muschg, paul nizon, erica pedretti, martin suter, peter weber, , markus werner. writers after 1990 peter stamm, lukas bärfuss , christian kracht.

historians

important swiss historians include:

ildefons von arx (1755–1833), historian of st gall, of had been monk,
j. c. zellweger (1768–1855), historian of appenzell.
jj hottinger (1783–1860), continuator of j. von muller s swiss history,
johann ludwig wurstemberger (1783–1862) 4 wrote on bernese history,
a. von tillier (1792–1854),
j. e. kopp (1793–1866), rewrote swiss history on basis of authentic documents,
j. a. pupikofer (1797–1882), history of thurgau
a. f. stettler (1796–1849) swiss constitutional matters
johann kaspar bluntschli (1808–1881), swiss constitutional matters,
e. von wattenwyl (1815–1890), and
p. c. von planta (1815–1902) history of grisons
georg von wyß (1816–1893), whom owe, among many excellent works, admirable account of swiss historians , works,
his stepbrother f. von wyss (1818–1907), great authority on legal , constitutional history of switzerland, and
a. p. von segesser (1817–1888), historian , statesman of lucerne,
jacob burckhardt (1818–1897), italian renaissance
j. j. blumer (1819–1875), and
e. blusch (1838–1900), historian of protestant churches in german-speaking switzerland,
johannes dierauer (1842–1920), wrote impressive geschichte der schweizerischen eidgenossenschaft, 2 vo, 1887–91,
r. maag (1866–1899), began publication of invaluable flabsburg terrier of 14th century, had leave completion of work other competent hands,
felix stähelin (1897–1952), switzerland in roman era

also: a. bahl, j. l. brandstetter, w. burckhardt, k. dandliker, r. durrer, h. escher, a. heusler, r. hoppeler, t. von liebenau, w. merz, g meyer von knonau, w. f. von münen, w. oechsli, j. r. rahn, l. r. von salis, p. schweizer, j. schollenberger, j. strickler, r. thommen, , h. wartmann.