Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Autobiography of Goethe Volume 1

No. of episodes

33

Latest episode

2025-07-17

Where can you listen?

The Autobiography of Goethe, a literary icon by the age of 25, takes you on a captivating journey through his life, starting from his ennoblement by the Duke of Saxe-Weimar in 1782. Translated by John Oxenford in 1848, a tumultuous year in Europe, this book features an engaging introduction and biography by Thomas Carlyle. Goethe, a key figure in the Sturm und Drang literary movement, lived through significant historical events such as the Seven Years War, and the French and American Revolutions. This autobiography reveals the stark contrast between his emotive literature and the detachment of the rationalist movement in the sciences. This podcast is the first part of his memoir, alternatively titled Truth and Fiction or Truth and Poetry, where youll also discover his renowned works such as The Sorcerers Apprentice, and his iconic play, Faust. Despite being an Anti-Enlightenment writer, Goethes influence transcends time, inspiring English translations of his works even after his demise. The publisher, J.H. Moore, compiled this book from various sources, including an essay by Carlyle from 1828, adding another layer of intrigue to this compelling read.