Friedrich Heinrich von der Hagen

Who was Friedrich Heinrich von der Hagen?

Friedrich Heinrich von der Hagen was a German philologist, chiefly distinguished for his researches in Old German literature.

He was born at Angermünde-Schmiedeberg in the Uckermark region of the Margraviate of Brandenburg. After studying law at the University of Halle, he obtained a legal appointment in the state service at Berlin, but in 1806 resigned in order to devote himself exclusively to letters. In 1810 he was appointed professor extraordinarius of German literature at the University of Berlin. In the following year he was transferred in a similar capacity to the University of Breslau, and in 1821 returned to Berlin as professor ordinarius. Although von der Hagen's critical work is now entirely out of date, he is credited with awakening an interest in old German poetry.

Principal publications:

the Nibelungenlied, of which he issued four editions, the first in 1810 and the last in 1842

the Minnesinger

Lieder der altern Edda

Gottfried von Strassburg

a collection of Old German tales under the title Gesammtabenteuer

Das Heldenbuch.