Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

Life

Lessing was born in Kamenz, a little town in Saxony. His father was a clergyman and the author of theological writings. After visiting Latin School in Kamenz (from 1737 onwards) and the Fürstenschule St. Afra in Meissen (from 1741 onwards) he studied theology and medicine in Leipzig (1746-1748). From 1748 to 1760 he lived in Leipzig and Berlin and worked as reviewer and editor for, amongst others, the Vossische Zeitung. In 1752 he took his Master's degree in Wittenberg. From 1760 to 1765 he worked in Breslau (now Wroclaw) as secretary to a General Tauentzien. In 1765 he returned to Berlin, only to leave again in 1767 to work for three years as a dramaturge and adviser at the German National Theatre in Hamburg. There he met Eva König, his future wife.

Related Topics:
Kamenz - Saxony - Meissen - Leipzig - Berlin - Wittenberg - Breslau - Hamburg - Eva König

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In 1770 Lessing became a librarian at the Herzog-August-Bibliothek in Wolfenbüttel. His tenure there was interrupted by many travels. For example, in 1775 he journeyed to Italy accompanied by Prince Leopold.

Related Topics:
Librarian - Wolfenbüttel - Italy

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In 1776 he married Eva König, who was widowed now, in Jork (near Hamburg). She died in 1778 after giving birth to a short-lived son.

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On February 15, 1781 Lessing died during a visit to the wine dealer Angott in Braunschweig.

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