A farewell to Prof. Greif: A life for German literature

A farewell to Prof. Greif: A life for German literature

On August 18, 2025, the University of Kassel mourns the loss of Prof. Dr. Stefan Greif, who died on August 4, 2025. Born on March 9, 1961, Greif has been a professor of modern German literature in Kassel since 2007 and leaves a large gap in the academic community. His research focus was on the literature of the 18th century, especially the Enlightenment and the Classical period, where he worked intensively with the works of Goethe, Herder and Forster. Greif's commitment as chairman of the Georg Forster Society and as a board member of the Goethe Society in Kassel shows his deep connection to German literary history.

Greif was not only a respected researcher, but also an inspiring teacher. The seminars he offered included important works such as Goethe's “Faust II”, the “West-Eastern Divan” and the “Campaign in France”. He also dedicated himself to connecting music, culture and literature and organized events on rock culture and climate discourse. As a liaison lecturer at the Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst, he actively contributed to the training of young talents.

Research focus and influence

Greif's work was characterized by a broad perspective on literature. He also covered contemporary literature as well as popular literature and theory. In his research he tried to link these genres with classical literature, which led to the discovery of new insights. This fits with the aim of the newly published essays, which look at often overlooked topics within existing research and analyze a broader circle of Weimar Classical writers. In addition to Goethe and Schiller, Georg Forster, Emilie Berlepsch, Christoph Martin Wieland, Johann Gottfried Herder and Rudolf Steiner are also discussed. The volume aims to further explore the complex field of Weimar Classicism and explain how Mellen Press reported.

This era was marked by political upheavals, particularly triggered by the French Revolution of 1789. The ideals of freedom, equality and fraternity were very popular with classical artists. The political instability in Europe, marked by Napoleon's rise to power and the subsequent wars, had a decisive influence on literary production. Nevertheless, the representatives of the Weimar Classicism often remained unaffected by political upheavals, as their disappointment with the violence and wars of the French Revolution was clearly evident, as can be seen on Studyflix is presented.

Prof. Dr. Stefan Greif's omission is strongly felt not only at the University of Kassel, but throughout the entire literary community. His tireless commitment to literature and education will be remembered and his work will continue to influence students and research in German literary studies.