Johann Christoph Gottsched (1700–1766)

Johann Christoph Gottsched (1700–1766) was a literary critic who sought to apply the canons of the French classics and the theories of Enlightenment authors to German literature. From 1725 to 1727 he wrote the moral weekly Die Vernünfftigen Tadlerinnen, which dealt with the role of women in society. In 1730 appeared his important essay Versuch einer kritischen Dichtkunst als Plädoyer zugunsten einer vernunftorientierten Literatur. In 1731 he translated the successful play Sterbender Cato, originally by Joseph Addison (1672–1719), bringing it into line with the canons of classic French literature. Gottsched also developed a body of normative rules for the German language that set the trend for a long time to come.

L. Schorer, Johann Christoph Gottsched (1700–1766), oil on canvas, Germany 1744; source: University of Leipzig, Kustodie, 53/90, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Johann_Christoph_Gottsched.jpg.