Bodmer

Bodmer, Johann Jacob, born at Greifensee, near Zurich, in 1698, and trained not merely in classical, but in French, English, and Italian literature, devoted himself to criticising and improving the German language. He founded what was known as the Swiss school of reformers, and by his editions of the Nibelungenlied and other specimens of older poetry, as well as by his introduction of a higher standard of taste, did much to put German on a level with the more cultured tongues. Among his works may be named Discourse der Maler, Kritische Briefe, Noachide, an epic, and several mediocre poems. He died at Zurich in 1783.