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The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.
Franz Grillparzer (1791–1872)
Grillparzer, Franz (gril’pärts-er). An Austrian poet and dramatist of high rank; born in Vienna, Jan. 15, 1791; died there, Jan. 21, 1872. ‘Blanche of Castile,’ a tragedy, written at seventeen, and ‘Spartacus,’ a tragedy, showed genius; but ‘The Ancestress’ first called popular attention to him. ‘Sappho,’ a tragedy based upon classical tradition, made him eminent in scholarship also. ‘The Golden Fleece,’ ‘The Argonauts,’ and ‘Medea’ constitute a trilogy. ‘The Career and End of King Ottokar,’ ‘A True Servant of his Master,’ and ‘Woe to Him who Lies’ call for mention; but his poem ‘Waves of Ocean: Thrills of Love’ is the supreme manifestation of his art. ‘In thy Camp is Austria!’ a poem of the times, created a sensation. Later works of note are: ‘The Jewess of Toledo,’ ‘Fraternal Strife in the House of Hapsburg,’ and ‘Libussa,’ plays published posthumously; and a story, ‘The Poor Minstrel.’ (See Critical and Biographical Introduction).