Herder was a cultural philosopher of fundamental significance and, as a friend of Goethe, a pioneer of German classicism. As a great inspirer he ranks behind today's more prominent poets of this time. He recognised the importance of the history of language and culture for the identity of each people. Thus, he became the founder of the modern concept of a nation state. His "Journal of My Journey in 1769" – from Riga to Nantes and Paris – reflects the revolutionary educational ideals of Rousseau and discovered subjectivity for the "Sturm und Drang" (Storm and Stress) era.
Herder was influenced as a student in Königsberg by Kant and Hamann. First he was a teacher and clergyman in Riga, then in 1771 a court preacher in Bückeburg and from 1776 a general superintendent and chief consistorial councillor in Weimar.
Since 1778 he collected folk songs from many countries, published posthumously as "Stimmen der Völker in Liedern" (Peoples’ Voices in Songs) His main work is the "Ideen zur Philosophie der Geschichte der Menschheit" (Ideas for the Philosophy of the History of Mankind).
Illustration:
The birthplace of Herder in Mohrungen (today Morąg), around 1820
Herder was born in the small town of Mohrungen (today Morąg) in the Oberland (today Prusy Górne) as the son of Gottfried Herder, a cantor, bellman and teacher at a school for girls. The house was destroyed in 1945. Mohrungen is home to the Baroque "Dohna Castle", which is well worth seeing and houses a Herder museum.
Photo: East Prussian Picture Archive