Heinrich Heine was a German writer born in DŸsseldorf in 1797. He studied law as young man and published his first book of romantic poetry in 1822. He enjoyed success with a series called Travel Pictures, published from 1826-31, a blend of fact and prose, poetry, wit and social commentary which was widely imitated by other writers. His Book of Songs (1827) brought international recognition, some of the songs being set to music by the likes of Schumann and Schubert.

His writing became increasingly satirical and politically critical and he left Germany for Paris in 1831; his books were banned in Germany in 1835. He continued to write satirically about Germany, and was published there by his friend Karl Marx. He died in Paris in 1856. Although well regarded internationally and acknowledged as the most translated German poet, his reputation in Germany has long been tainted by controversy.

• http://www.germanembassy-india.org/news/dec97/gn16.htm
• http://search.eb.com/eb/article?eu=40676