German lyrical poet and essayist. He converted to Christianity at age 28 in the hope of obtaining a professorship in German literature, calling it his admission ticket to European culture, but he denounced Eduard Gans as a scoundrel for converting. Heine referred to Judaism as one of the three maladies, the other two being poverty and pain. Notwithstanding this, he used his position to defend Jewish rights at times. Although he experienced personal rejection due to his Jewish past and pro-Napoleonism, his works (published in 21 volumes in 1863) achieved universal fame – notably for his wit and sarcasm. His famous Buch der Lieder (Book of Songs) (1827) included Auf Fluegeln des Gesanges (On Wings of Song), and the Lorelei (Loreley).
– Eli Birnbaum