Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the greatest of German men of letters, was born at Frankfort-on-the-Main, August 28, 1749.
His father was a man of means and position, and he personally supervised the early education of his son.
The young Goethe studied at the universities of Leipsig and Strasburg, and in 1772 entered upon the practise of law at Wetzlar.