The New International Encyclopædia/Lafontaine, August Heinrich Julius

LAFONTAINE, lȧ'fṓ N 'tắn'. (1758-1831). A German novelist, born in Brunswick, and educated in Helmstedt, where he studied theology. He was a private tutor for several years, acted as chaplain to the Prussian army in 1792, and in 1800 settled in Halle. He became canon of the Magdeburg Cathedral as a reward for the dedication of one of his books to Friedrich Wilhelm III. and Luise. The popularity of his novels, which are sentimental and didactic tales of domestic life, was remarkable, especially in view of his great fertility. He wrote about one hundred and fifty volumes, and soon ruined what style he had originally possessed. Among his more popular works are: Der Sonderling (1793), Der Naturmensch (1791), Saint Julien (1798), and Fedor und Marie (1805).