born July 12, 1868, Büdesheim, near Bingen, Hesse
died Dec. 4, 1933, Minusio, near Locarno, Switz.
German poet.
George traveled widely, becoming associated with Stéphane Mallarmé and the Symbolist movement in Paris and the Pre-Raphaelites in London. Returning to Germany, he edited the journal Blätter fur die Kunst (18921919) and became the centre of the "George Circle," gathering young poets around him in a close-knit aesthetic band. His collections include Hymnen (1890), Das Jahr der Seele (1897), Der siebente Ring (1907), and Der Stern des Bundes (1914). A supporter of "pure poetry," he opposed not only the debasement of the language but also materialism and naturalism. Though politically conservative, he turned down Nazi offers of money and honours, preferring exile. His collected works include translations of Dante and William Shakespeare (the sonnets) as well as prose sketches.