Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, The Greatest Writer In The German Language
Public DomainA portrait of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe painted in 1828, four years before his death.
Famous scientists often — and perhaps rightfully so — get the most credit for their intellect and contributions to society, but to deny that same prestige to non-scientists would be a disservice. Take Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, for example, who is best known for his literary works, which include Faust, The Sorrows of Young Werther, and Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship.
Faust, in particular, is widely considered to be Goethe’s magnum opus. The story tells of the erudite Faust who, dissatisfied with his life, makes a deal with the Devil, Mephistopheles, in exchange for unlimited knowledge and worldly pleasure. Their pact only lasts a set number of years, however, at the end of which Mephistopheles claims Faust’s soul. Goethe’s version ultimately has Faust saved by God and sent to Heaven, though the idea of a Faustian bargain rarely ends so well for the deal maker.
What sets Goethe apart from similar writers, however, is the complexity and depth of his literary works and the ways in which he incorporated philosophy, aesthetics, and natural science into his oeuvre. In particular, Goethe made significant contributions to the fields of botany, anatomy, and optics, following in the footsteps of Newton before him — and even challenging some of Newton’s ideas, such as in his 1810 work Theory of Colors.
Goethe was also a leading figure in the Sturm und Drang movement, which emphasized emotional intensity and individualism, and then later in Weimar Classicism, which sought to harmonize the ideals of the Enlightenment with classical art forms. He often held philosophical discussions with contemporaries like Friedrich Schiller and Johann Gottfried Herder on topics such as the nature of beauty, art, and human creativity.
To many, Goethe was the ideal “Renaissance man.” He pursued multiple disciplines, each with the same vigor and excellence, making him a viable candidate for the smartest person in the world.
