Zschokke, Johann Heinrich Daniel

Zschokke, Johann Heinrich Daniel a German writer, was born at Magdeburg, March 22, 1771. He was erratic in his early youth, but studied at the University of Frankfort-on-the-Oder, and although proficient in philosophy, history, and mathematics, was refused a position as professor on account of his opposition to the government. Leaving Prussia, therefore, he travelled through Germany and Framice, and settled in Switzerland as a teacher, but the French revolution compelled him to take refuge in Aarau, where he played an active part in those times. He died there, January 22, 1848. His later productions were chiefly poetical and historical, many of them novels. His best known is Stunden der Andacht (1806; twice trans]. in English, Meditations on Death); but, as might be expected from his career, it is neither profound nor inspiring. His collected works were published at Aarau (1825, 40 volumes, 8vo). See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.