Gebrüder Grimm
The Brothers Grimm (German: die Brüder Grimm or die Gebrüder Grimm), Jacob (1785–1863) and Wilhelm (1786-1859), were German academics whose work in folklore, linguistics, and literary scholarship shaped the development of modern folkloristics and the study of the German language. Born in Hanau and raised in Steinau, they were educated in Kassel and at the University of Marburg, where they developed a lasting interest in medieval literature and German cultural history.
In 1812 they published the first volume of Kinder- und Hausmärchen, based on stories gathered largely from educated, urban acquaintances. They expanded and revised the collection throughout their lives, refining the language and themes of the tales and producing one of the most influential works in world folklore. Alongside this work, they published studies on Germanic and Scandinavian legends, medieval texts, and the history of language. The brothers began the Deutsches Wörterbuch in 1838, an ambitious historical dictionary that remained unfinished at their deaths. Their scholarship and their methods for documenting oral traditions established lasting standards for the study of folklore.
The Grimms' tales grew steadily in popularity and have since been translated widely, adapted in literature and film, and examined in political, educational, and psychological contexts. Their work continues to influence research in folklore and the history of the German language.
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