The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Lafontaine, August Heinrich Julius

LAFONTAINE, lạ'fŏṅ-tān', August Heinrich Julius, German novelist: b. Brunswick, 5 Oct. 1758; d. Halle, 20 April 1831. He studied theology (1777-80) at Helmstedt, became private instructor in several locations till 1789. He joined the Prussian army (1792) as field-chaplain and settled (1800) in Halle. He was made canon of Magdeburg Cathedral as reward for dedicating a work to Friedrich Wilhelm III and Queen Louise. He was a prolific but popular writer, being author of over 150 volumes. Sentiment and domestic life are his themes served up in the narrow lines of the period. Writing under the pseudonyms Gustav Freier, Miltenberg or Selchow, his best tales are ‘Gemälde des menschlichen Herzen’ (1792, and later, 15 vols.); ‘Familiengeschichten’ (12 vols., 1797-1804); ‘Der Sonderling’ (1793); ‘Der Natur mensch’ (1791). Consult Gruber, ‘August Lafontaines Leben und Wirken’ (Halle 1833).