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.