Christian Johann Heinrich Heine (Düsseldorf, December 13, 1797 - Paris, February 17, 1856) was a prominent German poet, a key figure in the transition between Romanticism and Young Germany, born into a wealthy Jewish family of bankers and merchants.
In 1817, he wrote his first love lyrics, published in a German magazine. He studied law, philosophy, and literature in Bonn and later at the University of Berlin, where he associated with Hegel, Schleiermacher, and Chamisso. In 1822, he published lyrics of great originality, marked by a style of popular ballad and ironic rejection of illusions. In 1825, he converted to Reformed Protestantism, changing his name from Harry to Heinrich.
After the publication of "Impressions of Travel" (1826-1831), which addressed a wide range of fantastic and moral themes, Heine became famous. In 1827, he gathered his earlier poems in "Book of Songs". A trip to England in 1826 revived his interest in political issues. In 1831, depressed and facing antisemitism, he moved to Paris, where he associated with prominent literary and political figures. In 1841, he married Mathilde, with whom he had been in a relationship since 1834.
Heine explored political themes in his works, with his poem "Germany, a Winter's Tale" (1844) being a prominent political work. He joined Freemasonry in 1844. In his later years, affected by a neuromuscular disease, he published "Romancero" (1851) and "Various Writings" (1854), marking the end of his career.
Speculation about the cause of his illness includes options such as neurosyphilis, tuberculous meningitis, multiple sclerosis, or lead poisoning. He died in 1856 in Paris. His legacy includes influential political and lyrical works, consolidating him as a prominent German writer.
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