The poet Johann Christian Friedrich Hölderlin was born in Lauffen am Neckar on March 20, 1770. He studied theology at Tübingen Abbey. Isaak von Sinclair from Homburg also studied there. Isaak von Sinclair was five years younger than Hölderlin. He studied law in 1792/93. They had discussions with other students at the Tübingen Stift. These included Hegel and Schelling. They talked about philosophy. They also talked about the ideals of the French Revolution. Hölderlin and Sinclair became close friends. This is why Hölderlin came to Homburg vor der Höhe twice.
Hölderlin's first stay in Homburg was from September 1798 to the beginning of June 1800, during which time he wrote a great deal. He wrote many poems. He drafted the drama "The Death of Empedocles". He finished the second part of the novel "Hyperion". The first part of Hyperion was published by Schiller in the journal "Thalia". Many people at the court in Homburg read this part.
The epistolary novel Hyperion was also the favorite book of Princess Auguste of Hesse-Homburg. She was the daughter of Landgrave Friedrich V of Hesse-Homburg. Hölderlin never met the princess in person. Nevertheless, he dedicated the ode to her on her birthday in 1799: "To Princess Auguste von Homburg the 28th of Nov 1799."
Hölderlin loved nature. The beautiful landscape made him happy. His love of nature is also evident in Hyperion. The hero is an idealist. He does not understand the world. He suffers. Suffering makes him strong. It frees him from fear. It leads him to nature. Nature is beautiful. It is creative and harmonious.
The poet left Homburg in June 1800. He had no more money. He went back to Württemberg. First he was in Nürtingen and Stuttgart. Then he took up a new position in Hauptwyl near St. Gallen in Switzerland. This position and another in Bordeaux failed. After several stops, he returned to Homburg vor der Höhe in June 1804.
The picture shows Homburg and the castle from the east. This is how it looked when Hölderlin was there. The watercolor was created in 1815. It has the signature: Fräulein von Sinclair did it. (Gustavine von Sinclair).
We know little about Hölderlin's second stay in Homburg. Hölderlin traveled back from Bordeaux on foot. That was exhausting. Susette Gontard died on June 22, 1802, which was a heavy blow for Hölderlin. Many friends turned their backs on him. Only Sinclair stayed with him. Sinclair brought him to Homburg in June 1804. Sinclair hoped that Hölderlin would recover. Sinclair wanted Hölderlin to build on the good days of his first stay.
On February 26, 1805, Sinclair was arrested. It was thought that he was planning a conspiracy against the Elector of Württemberg. Sinclair was brought to Ludwigsburg. Hölderlin was then alone in Homburg. Hölderlin was also threatened with extradition to Württemberg. He had taken part in a meeting with Sinclair on June 19, 1804. The meeting was political and secret.
Hölderlin was already very ill. The situation made him even more ill. Almost all his friends had left him. His relationship with his mother was very poor. Hölderlin could hardly write any poems or letters. Homburg became an important place in his life. Sinclair returned to Homburg after his acquittal. He found Hölderlin completely confused. In August 1806, Sinclair wrote to Hölderlin's mother. He could no longer care for Hölderlin. His mother decided to take Hölderlin to a clinic. The clinic was run by Dr. Autenrieth in Tübingen. On September 11, 1806, Hölderlin was brought to Tübingen. He was put into a carriage. The dream of more years as a poet in Homburg was over.
Hölderlin's works were only recognized by a few friends during his lifetime. In the history of German literature, the poet was somewhere between classicism and romanticism. It was only later that he was recognized. The Hölderlin Society researches and disseminates the poet's works.
In Bad Homburg v. d. Höhe, the poet is honored every year with the Friedrich Hölderlin Literature Prize. The town has many writings by Hölderlin. A school and a street are named after the poet.
The Homburg Hölderlin monument is in the spa gardens. It was erected on July 28, 1883. On the front of a three-sided pyramid made of red sandstone is the image of the poet in white marble. Below it is the text:
"Friedrich Hölderlin born in Lauffen March 20, 1770 / died in Tübingen June 7, 1843" In memory of the poet's stay in Homburg (1798 - 1800 and 1804 - 1806), the Verein für Geschichte und Altertumskunde zu Homburg erected it on July 28, 1883.
The other side reads:
A son of the earth
I am
Made to love,
Made to suffer.
Hölderlin "Die Heimath"
Beauty goes
From the life of man
Into the spirit,
What was nature becomes ideal.
Hölderlin "Hyperion"
