Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Hutten, Ulrich von

HUTTEN, ULRICH VON, a German controversial satirist; born in Steckelburg, near Fulda, Prussia, April 21, 1488. Of a noble family and destined for the Church, he preferred a life of roving adventure. He rose to fame by brilliant contributions to the current religious and political controversies. His works include: &ldquo;The Art of Prosody&rdquo;; &ldquo;Nemo&rdquo;; and &ldquo;Dialogues.&rdquo; His most noteworthy production, however, is the &ldquo;Letters of Obscure Men,&rdquo; mercilessly ridiculing the ignorance of the lower clergy. He died in the island of Ufnau, Lake Zurich, 1523.