Eighteenth century Swiss literature

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.