Zschokke, (Johannes) Heinrich (Daniel) (1771-1848)

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Zschokke, (Johannes) Heinrich (Daniel) (1771-1848)

German-Swiss writer, actor, and pastor, born at Magdeburg, March 22, 1771. He was educated at Frankfurt-on-Oder, where he studied theology, philosophy, and jurisprudence. He encountered difficulties with authorities on account of his pronounced political opinions, but eventually concentrated on writing plays and Gothic romances influenced by Sir Walter Scott. His romance Abaeillino, der grosse Bandit was produced in 1794 and had an enormous success, being dramatized the following year. It was adapted by the English writer Matthew Gregory Lewis as The Bravo of Venice in 1804 and greatly influenced themes in Gothic romance. Zschokke died at Aarau June 27, 1848.