Author
Theodor Körner is documented in Fuller’s letters, books, published essays, journals, and manuscripts (1832–1848). 4 distinct works are named, most often in Letter to James F. Clarke, and the most intensive engagement recorded is “excerpted”.
Additional passages preserved in the Memoirs (1852)
Reprints, Memoirs passages, and repeat notes within a single manuscript are shown but never counted twice. Evidence for this author is selective, not exhaustive. Methodology →
Passages where the evidence goes beyond allusion to indicate that Fuller had Theodor Körner’s work in hand — an explicit statement of reading, sustained excerpting or translation, or a specific reading episode recorded by those who knew her.
“Korner, Novalis, and something of Richter; all of Schiller's principal dramas, and his lyric poetry.”
Mem-2 Memoirs of Margaret Fuller Ossoli · within the year [1832]
Continuation of the same dated (1832) memoir reading list, naming Korner and Schiller's dramas.
“with the writings of Tieck, Korner, Bichter, and Novalis”
Mem-3 Reminiscences of Edna Cheney · She began the study of German in 1832 ... within the year
Same dated 1832-1833 claim regarding Korner.
“I have had the other two volumes of Korner (including to my great delight his life) and was obliged to return them next Monday. Perhaps I shall talk to you about Korner but need not write; he charms me and has become a fixed star in the heaven of my thought”
This page brings together documented engagements currently identified within the Fuller Reading Worlds catalog.
Selected passages from Fuller’s own writings, in chronological order.
“I send you also Korner's letter in this book I have turned down the leaf at the place and hope you will be able to decypher it- Return the book in a few days 'tis one of those which I compose my mind to rest withal after coming home from parties”
Inferred Fuller refers to "Körner's letter in this book" that she is returning to Clarke, indicating a volume containing a letter by Körner—likely a biographical or collected edition—though the specific volume is not identified.
“I have had the other two volumes of Korner (including to my great delight his life) and was obliged to return them next Monday.”
Inferred Fuller has read at least two volumes of Körner's works including a biographical section and describes Körner as having "become a fixed star in the heaven of my thought." Hudspeth notes that five four-volume editions of Körner existed by this period; the specific edition is unknown.
Fuller, Margaret. The Letters of Margaret Fuller. Edited by Robert N. Hudspeth. Vol. VI. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1988.
“And he died at twenty-nine, and, as with Körner, your feelings may be single; you will never be called upon to share his experience, and compare his future feelings with his present.”
Also reprinted in The Letters of Margaret Fuller, Vol. VI: 1850. Counted once, at its first appearance.
Fuller, Margaret. Letter 77 ([ca. 1 August 1832]). In The Letters of Margaret Fuller, Vol. I: 1817-1838, edited by Robert N. Hudspeth. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1983.
“Perhaps I shall talk to you about Körner, but need not write. He charms me, and has become a fixed star in the heaven of my thought; but I understand all that he excites perfectly.”
Fuller, Margaret. Letter 78 (7 August 1832). In The Letters of Margaret Fuller, Vol. I: 1817-1838, edited by Robert N. Hudspeth. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1983.
“Was zieht mich ein tiefes glühend treiben / In die blaue Ferne mächtig hinaus?] / Es laßt mich nicht rasten, es laßt mich / nicht bleiben, / Es drückt mich die Mauer, es engt mich das / Haus, / Ich muß in’s Ferne." / T.”
Fuller, Margaret. "Journal 1833–1834." Houghton Library, Harvard University; bMS Am 1086 (4); Box 5 (83).
Inferred Körner’ in the manuscript; identified as ‘Sehnsucht nach dem Rhein’ (Longing for the Rhine) from Körner’s posthumous Leyer und Schwerdt (1814) via Projekt Gutenberg text match. The Projekt Gutenberg Körner text identifies the opening lines as belonging to ‘Sehnsucht nach dem Rhein.’ Körner died at Gadebusch (age 21) during the Wars of Liberation against Napoleon; his poems were published posthumously in Leyer und Schwerdt (Berlin: G.
Poem attributed to ‘T. Körner’ in the manuscript; identified as ‘Sehnsucht nach dem Rhein’ (Longing for the Rhine) from Körner’s posthumous Leyer und Schwerdt (1814) via Projekt Gutenberg text match. Fuller quotes the German text and attributes it to ‘T. The Projekt Gutenberg Körner text identifies the opening lines as belonging to ‘Sehnsucht nach dem Rhein.’ Körner died at Gadebusch (age 21) during the Wars of Liberation against Napoleon; his poems were published posthumously in Leyer und Schwerdt (Berlin: G.
“who filled the place of Metastasio and Körner at Vienna, who elicited even from the Russian Sovereigns admiration of his powers”
Fuller, Margaret. "Publishers and Authors." New-York Daily Tribune, 3 February 1846. · 3 February 1846
“The Archduke Karl, to whom Korner dedicated his heroic muse, was the object of his admiration also.”
Fuller, Margaret. Papers on Literature and Art. New York: Wiley and Putnam, 1846. · p277
Also printed in Art, Literature, and the Drama (1869), p277; page given is to the 1869 reprint.
“As described by Körner in the prayer of such a man: “O God, save me Thy wife, child, and hearth, Then my harvest also; Then will I bless thee, Though thy lightning scorch to blackness all the rest of human kind.”
Fuller, Margaret. "Things and Thoughts in Europe . . . XII." New-York Daily Tribune, 12 May 1847. · 12 May 1847
“How often rings in my ear the consolatory word of Korner, after many struggles, many undeceptions, "Though the million suffer shipwreck, yet noble hearts survive!”
Fuller, Margaret. The Letters of Margaret Fuller. Edited by Robert N. Hudspeth. Vol. V. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1988.
Inferred Fuller attributes the quotation 'Though the million suffer shipwreck, yet noble hearts survive!' to 'Körner' without naming a specific work.
Undated
Pieces with no legible date. They are part of the record but cannot be placed on the lifeline.
“translation from Korner”
Fuller, Margaret. The Letters of Margaret Fuller. Edited by Robert N. Hudspeth. Vol. VI. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1988.
Inferred Karl Theodor Körner (1791–1813), the German Romantic poet popular among Transcendentalists, is the most probable identification, though the exact work remains unidentified.
“From T. Körner. / Clothaire's Adieu / (Fragment of a Romance.) / Nature is dreaming sweetly through the soft gloom of this cool night.”
Fuller explicitly attributes the piece 'From T.
“Zachenfall. / The stream dashes itself into the black giddy depth. And the light breaks into colours upon the silvery foam.”
Inferred Fuller labels the piece only 'Zachenfall' ('Waterfall' in German/Austrian dialect; Zackelfall or Zachenfall is a waterfall in Styria, Austria). The prose-poem is attributed to 'T. Körner' by its position immediately after the labeled 'From T. Körner' section and before the subsequent dialogue, which appears to be part of the same Körner grouping. Fuller places 'Zachenfall' directly after 'Clothaire's Adieu (From T.
The prose-poem is attributed to 'T. Körner)' with no intervening attribution.
Fuller, Margaret. "Translations from German." Houghton Library, Harvard University; bMS Am 1086; Box 5 (101).
“Life & works of / Theodore Körner Western Messenger”
Fuller, Margaret. "Notes, 1st Issue of the Dial." Houghton Library, Harvard University; MS Am 1086.
“Life & works of } / Theodore Körner }Western / Messenger”
Fuller, Margaret. "Outline for a Collected Volume." Houghton Library, Harvard University.
Passages surviving only in the posthumous Memoirs of Margaret Fuller Ossoli, compiled by Emerson, Channing, and Clarke.
“Körner, Novalis, and something of Richter... Perhaps I shall talk to you about Körner, but need not write. He charms me, and has become a fixed star in the heaven of my thought”
Inferred This entry identifies Karl Theodor Körner's poetry, likely referencing his collections Leier und Schwert (1814) or Poetischer Nachlass (1815).
“How often rings in my ear the consolatory word of Korner, after many straggles, many undeceptions, 'Though the million suffer shipwreck, yet noble hearts survive!”
Inferred Margaret Fuller engages with Theodor Körner's patriotic work, likely his collection Leyer und Schwert (1814), referencing a sentiment for noble resilience: "'Though the million suffer shipwreck, yet noble hearts survive!'" This inscription suggests Fuller found solace in Körner's wartime verses, choosing to highlight his message of enduring spirit amidst widespread hardship.
Emerson, Ralph Waldo, William Henry Channing, and James Freeman Clarke, eds. Memoirs of Margaret Fuller Ossoli. 2 vols. Boston: Phillips, Sampson and Company, 1852.
“The words of Körner are also translated by herself, and were given to me about the same time.”
Inferred This entry identifies a translated motto from Karl Theodor Körner, a significant German poet and soldier.
“I trust you will be interested in my favourite Korner.”
Inferred While no specific poem or play by Körner is identified in this passage, Fuller's intent to analyze his contributions suggests a deep engagement with his writings.
Emerson, Ralph Waldo, William Henry Channing, and James Freeman Clarke, eds. Memoirs of Margaret Fuller Ossoli. 2 vols. Boston: Phillips, Sampson and Company, 1852.