Burger

Burger, Gottfried August, lyric poet, was born in 1747 at Molmers-wende, a village in the principality of Halberstadt; studying at Halle and Gottingen, he led an irregular life which landed him in debt and other difficulties. Becoming associated with Voss, the two Counts Stolberg, Boje, and others, he became inspired with higher motives than had hitherto guided him, and in 1773 appeared his ballad Lenore, which at once established his reputation. The Wild Huntsman and other of his ballads were translated by Sir Walter Scott. Though Burger was a popular lyrist, he was yet left to cultivate the muses in poverty, and after an unhappy life he died in 1794 at Gottingen.