The New International Encyclopædia/Raupach, Ernst

RAUPACH, rou'päG, Ernst (1784-1852). A German dramatist. He was born at Straupitz, Silesia; studied theology at Halle; was for ten years tutor in Russia, and was subsequently (1816) appointed professor of philosophy, German literature, and history in the University of Saint Petersburg. Raupach left Russia in 1822, and, after a visit to Italy, settled in Berlin, where he devoted the remainder of his life chiefly to writing for the stage. His facility was remarkable, and he wrote in all about eighty plays, besides letters and poems. Among his early pieces the following are noteworthy: Die Gefesselten (1821); Die Freunde (1825); and Isidor und Olga (1826). Among his comedies may be mentioned Die Schleichhändler; Der Zeitgeist; and the farces, Denk' an Cäsar and Schelle im Monde. Of his posthumous works are: Der Kegelspieler (1853); the tragi-comedy, Mulier Taceat in Ecclesia (1853); and Saat und Frucht (1854). The popular drama Der Müller und sein Kind still holds the stage: He collected his earlier plays in two volumes, Dramatische Werke komischer Gattung (1829-35), and Dramatische Werke ernster Gattung (1830-43). Raupach's writings display great knowledge of stage effect, a happy talent for the invention of new and interesting situations, and a fine play of verbal wit. Consult Pauline Raupach, Raupach, eine biographische Skizze (Berlin, 1853).