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Heinrich von Kleist (1777–1811)
Kleist, Heinrich von (klīst). A German poet; born at Frankfort on the Oder, Oct. 18, 1777; died at Wannsee, near Potsdam, Nov. 21, 1811. His dramas rival those of Goethe and Schiller. The best are: ‘Penthesilea’ (1808), a tragedy; ‘Kitty of Heilbronn’ (1810); ‘The Prince of Hornburg’ (1821); ‘Hermann’s Battle’ (1821),—the last two being his masterpieces; the comedy ‘The Broken Jug’ (1812). Though known chiefly as a dramatic poet, he wrote also lyrical verse that made a deep and lasting impression. His fine prose story ‘Michael Kohlhaas,’ together with others, all showing marked ability, appeared in ‘Tales’ (2 vols., 1810–11). His fame did not come till after his death. (See Critical and Biographical Introduction).