SALIS, JOHANN GAUDENZ, FREIHERR VON (COUNT OF) ...

born Dec. 26, 1762, Malans, Switz. died Jan. 29, 1834, Malans Swiss poet whose work is tender and sometimes elegiac, celebrating friendship, humanity, and the serenity of nature. Some of Salis' poems, such as Lied eines Landmanns in der Fremde, became anthology pieces. In 1779 he became an officer in the Swiss guards in Paris, but he supported the ideas of the French Revolution and voluntarily remained in Paris until 1793. In 1799 he became chief of staff of the Swiss militia, taking part in the Battle of Zrich, and later filled several public offices.