Heinrich Heine

1797 (Düsseldorf, Germany) – 1856 (Paris)

Meyerbeer was his cousin and benefactor. Hegel taught him in Berlin. Schlegel also taught him, and encouraged his writing. Whilst a student, he had an interview with Goethe, amusingly described in later years. In Paris, he frequently met his former teacher Hegel, the Humboldt brothers, and Schleiermacher. Liszt, Berlioz, Dumas, Nerval, Chopin, Balzac, Hugo and Sand were other Paris acquaintances. Marx also knew him at this time, read his poetry and corresponded with him. Engels translated some of his work into English, and visited him when paralysis confined him to bed.