Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Heine, Heinrich

HEINE (hī'ne), HEINRICH, a German poet and author; born of Jewish parents in Düsseldorf, Dec. 13, 1799. He studied law at Bonn, Berlin, and Göttingen; took his degree at the last mentioned place, and in 1825 embraced Christianity. He afterward lived at Hamburg, Berlin, and Munich, but in 1830 he settled in Paris, supported himself by his literary labors, and dwelt there till his death. From 1837 to the overthrow of Louis Philippe in 1848 he enjoyed a pension of $960 from the French Government. Of the numerous literary works of Heine may be mentioned in particular: “Poems”; “Pictures of Travel”; “Book of Songs”; “Germany, a Winter Tale”; “Shakespeare's Maidens and Wives”; “Last Poems and Thoughts”; etc. As a poet Heine is remarkable for the simplicity and pathos of many of his lyric pieces. His powers of wit and raillery were also great. During the latter years of his life he suffered great agony from a spinal complaint, which confined him almost constantly to bed. He died in Paris, Feb. 17, 1856.