Johann Gabriel Seidl

Johann Gabriel Seidl (June 21, 1804 – July 18, 1875) was an Austrian archeologist, poet, storyteller and dramatist. He wrote the lyrics to "Gott erhalte, Gott beschütze unsern Kaiser, unser Land!" This was the 1854 version of the Austrian Imperial Anthem, music by Joseph Haydn (Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser).

Born in Vienna, John Gabriel Seidl was the son of a lawyer and studied law himself. In 1829, he began to teach at a gymansium in Cilly. In 1840 he became curator at the coin and antiquities museum (Münz- und Antikenkabinett) in Vienna. From 1856 until 1871, he was responsible for the treasury. He spent most of his life in Vienna and died there in 1875.

Besides his scientific studies, Seidl published numerous poems and short stories, including the first poems by Nikolaus Lenau. Many of his poems were set to music by Franz Schubert (e.g. "Die Taubenpost" from Schwanengesang) and Carl Loewe (e.g. "Die Uhr"). Besides having written poems in standard German, Seidl also wrote in the Austrian dialect.

External links

* [http://www.aeiou.at/aeiou.encyclop.s/s507863.htm Short biography (in German) at aeiou.at]
* [http://www.catholicity.com/encyclopedia/s/seidl,johann_gabriel.html Article in Catholic Encyclopedia]

Persondata
NAME=Seidl, Johann Gabriel
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Austrian Archeologist, Poet, Storyteller and Playwright
DATE OF BIRTH=June 21, 1804
PLACE OF BIRTH=Vienna
DATE OF DEATH=July 18, 1875
PLACE OF DEATH=Vienna