Born: 10 November 1759 · Died: 9 May 1805 · Age at death: 45
How old was Friedrich Schiller when he died?
Friedrich Schiller died aged 45. He was born on 10 November 1759 and died on 9 May 1805.
German poet and playwright of The Robbers and William Tell, whose Ode to Joy was set to music in Beethoven's Ninth Symphony
Did you know?He allegedly kept rotten apples in his desk drawer because he found the smell helped to stimulate his creativity while writing.
Quick facts
Date of birth10 November 1759
Date of death9 May 1805
Age at death45
Cause of deathTuberculosis
NationalityGerman
BirthplaceMarbach am Neckar, Germany
Occupationpoet, philosopher, historian
Editor's Take:
Schiller was a poet, playwright and philosopher whose words still ring out across Europe. His Ode to Joy, set to music by Beethoven in his Ninth Symphony, was adopted as the anthem of the European Union. His plays, such as The Robbers, Mary Stuart and William Tell, are full of rebellion and the struggle for freedom. He formed a close friendship and creative partnership with Goethe, and together they made the town of Weimar the centre of German literature. He died young, at 45, but remains one of Germany's most beloved writers.
Key Milestones
1782: The Robbers premieres in Mannheim
1785: Writes Ode to Joy
1794: Begins his friendship with Goethe
1804: William Tell premieres
Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller (German:, short:; 10 November 1759 – 9 May 1805) was a German playwright, poet, philosopher and historian. Schiller is considered to be one of Germany's most important classical playwrights.
Friedrich Schiller's birthday is November 10. He was born on November 10, 1759 in Marbach am Neckar, Germany.
How old was Friedrich Schiller when he died?
Friedrich Schiller died on May 9, 1805, aged 45.
Who shares a birthday with Friedrich Schiller?
Famous people who share Friedrich Schiller's November 10 birthday include Martin Luther, Paracelsus, Mikhail Kalashnikov, Ennio Morricone and Richard Burton.