Lavater, Johann Caspar

Author

b Zurich, Switzerland 1741, d ?Zurich 1801. He studied theology at the Academic Gymnasium of Zurich (1758–59), and after further training in the Dept of Theology he was ordained to the Reformed Church in 1762. Becoming Pastor of St Peter’s Ch (the Orphanage Church) and a preacher growing in influence and popularity, he was ministering there when French dragoons invaded the city in 1799. He protested from the pulpit and in writing against the deportation of 10 leading citizens; he was himself arrested and imprisoned at Basel. Soon after returning 3 months later he was treacherously shot by a French grenadier, sustaining wounds from which he never fully recovered. In the following year, before the age of 60, he resigned his pastoral charge. He was known locally as a warm-hearted minister and friend. Among his many German writings were patriotic verses, 3 Bible-based epic-length poems, books on physiognomy, and some 700 hymns, many of which were published in Christliche Lieder in 1780. No.817.