Ernst Moritz Arndt

Date of Birth: December 26, 1769

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: January 29, 1860

Biography

Ernst Moritz Arndt was a renowned German poet, author, and patriot, born on December 26, 1769, in Gross Schoritz on the island of Rügen, then part of Swedish Pomerania. He is best known for his fervent nationalism and his contributions to German literature and the unification movement in the 19th century. Arndt studied theology and history at the University of Greifswald and later at the University of Jena. His experiences during the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars deeply influenced his works, which often contained strong anti-French sentiments and calls for German unity. Arndt’s most famous works include “Germania and Europe” and “The Spirit of the Age.” He was also a professor at the University of Greifswald and later at the University of Bonn, where he taught history and philology. His nationalistic writings made him a controversial figure, leading to periods of exile and censorship. Arndt’s legacy is complex, as his nationalist fervor is both celebrated for its role in German unification and critiqued for its xenophobic undertones.

5 Interesting Facts about Ernst Moritz Arndt

1. Arndt was forced to flee to Sweden in 1806 to escape the French occupation of Germany.

2. He played a significant role in the Prussian reforms of the early 19th century, advocating for the abolition of serfdom.

3. Arndt’s writings were banned multiple times by various German states due to their nationalistic content.

4. He was elected to the Frankfurt Parliament in 1848, where he continued to push for German unification.

5. Despite his controversial views, Arndt is considered one of the founders of modern German nationalism.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Ernst Moritz Arndt

1. “If you want to be free, you must fight for your freedom.”

2. “The love of one’s country is a splendid thing. But why should love stop at the border?”

3. “The German tongue is a sword, and the German spirit is its hilt.”

4. “Through unity, we shall be strong; through division, we shall fall.”

5. “Let us remember that the greatest men’s deeds have often been spurred on by a sense of nationalism.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Ernst Moritz Arndt did not accumulate significant wealth during his lifetime. His highest net worth is not documented, but he lived modestly as a scholar and writer.