The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Koberstein, Karl August

KOBERSTEIN, Karl August, German writer on literature and history: b. Rügenwalde, 10 Jan. 1797; d. Pforta, 8 March 1870. He studied at Stolpe and Potsdam, then (1812) at Berlin. He was appointed professor at the great royal school at Pforta, where he was actively engaged till his death. His literary career commenced with his work entitled ‘Ueber das Wahrscheinlicher Alter und die Bedeutung des gedichts vom Wartburgkrieg’ (1823). He wrote, notably, ‘Grundriss der geschichte der deutschen National-literatur’ (1827), which, in its fourth revision (1847-66), became a comprehensive history of German national literature. This work was extended, after his death, in a fifth edition by Bartsch (Leipzig 1872-75). His other works include ‘Vermischte Aufsätze zur Literaturgeschichte und Äesthetik’ (ib. 1858); ‘Heinrich von Kleists Briefe an seine Schwester Ulrike’ (Berlin 1860). He contributed to Löbell's ‘Entwicklung der deutschen Poesie,’ the volume on ‘Lessing’ (1865).