Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel Biography

Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel was born on August 27, 1770, in the town of Stuttgart in the Duchy of Wurttemberg, South-Western Germany to Georg Ludwig and Maria Magdalena Louisa. His father was a secretary to Karl Eugen, Duke of Wurttemberg and his mother was the daughter of a lawyer. He was brought up in an atmosphere of Protestant pietism.

He joined the University of Heidelberg in 1816, as a professor. He published his book, ‘The Encyclopaedia of the Philosophical Science in Outline’ in 1817, as a summary of his lectures for his students at the University.

In 1818, he took up a Chair of Philosophy at the University of Berlin, which was vacant since 1814. From here he published his book ‘Philosophy of Right’ in 1821. During this period his lectures attracted students from all over Germany and the world. He went on to be appointed as the Rector of the University in 1829, when he was 59. He was deeply disturbed by the riots for reform in Berlin during this period.

Hegel died in November 1831, due to cholera and a gastrointestinal complication. At the time of his death he was one of Germany’s most prominent philosophers. His views were highly regarded and divided his followers into right wing conservative interpreters of his work and left wing followers who moved towards an atheistic position. The notes of his students on the philosophy of aesthetics, religion and history delivered by him were published after his death as a major work of philosophy.

‘The Encyclopaedia of the Philosophical Science’ is a summary of his philosophy, which was published in 1816, and later revised by him in 1827 and 1830.

Hegel was very attached to his sister, and she later developed maniac jealousy of his wife when he got married to Marie Helena Susanna von Tucher at the age of 40. They had two sons, Karl Friedrich Wilhelm and Immanuel Thomas Christian, who later became a scholar like their father. His sister, Christiane, committed suicide by drowning shortly after his death.

Hegel had a peculiar habit of taking long walks every day, during which he would engage in deep philosophical contemplation. Some of his most groundbreaking ideas are said to have come to him during these walks.

Despite being known for his complex and dense writing style, Hegel had a playful side and enjoyed incorporating humor into his lectures and conversations with students.

Hegel was known to be a voracious reader and had an extensive personal library filled with books on a wide range of topics beyond philosophy, including history, literature, and science.

In his personal life, Hegel was described as a kind and generous individual, always willing to help students and colleagues with their work and offering support to those in need.

Hegel had a love for music and was known to be a talented piano player. He often used musical analogies in his writing and lectures to illustrate complex philosophical concepts.