The New International Encyclopædia/Gotter, Friedrich Wilhelm

GOT'TER, Friedrich Wilhelm (1746-97). A German poet and dramatist, born at Gotha. He began the study of law, but was early influenced to write for the theatre. While at Wetzlar he became the friend of Goethe. Gotter wrote tragedies, comedies, and songs. He was a great admirer of everything French. Perhaps his best work is Medea (1775), for which Benda wrote the music (1778) . His complete works were published in 1787, and a posthumous volume, Litterarischer Nachlass, in 1802.