Gottfried Keller, a revered figure in Swiss literature, spent most of his life in Zurich, where he was born. His early life was marred by the loss of his father at a tender age of five, which significantly impacted his upbringing and education. Despite his mother's efforts, Keller missed out on crucial guidance and understanding during his formative years.

Early Education and Challenges

Raised in a modest household, Keller attended a primary school designated for underprivileged children. Later, he joined the Cantonal Industrial School, but his educational journey was abruptly interrupted in 1834. He faced expulsion due to his involvement in a relatively minor student protest against an unpopular teacher. Consequently, the young Keller found himself with limited educational opportunities and uncertain prospects.

Aspiring Artist

Despite these setbacks, Keller harbored a passion for drawing and painting, spending much of his free time immersed in his art. He aspired to become a painter, and his mother supported this ambition by arranging lessons for him in Zurich. In 1840, Keller moved to Munich, Germany, aiming to advance his artistic skills. However, his stint in Munich did not yield the success he had hoped for, and he returned to Zurich in 1842, unable to sell his paintings.

The Emergence of a Writer

Disenchanted with his progress as a painter, Keller turned his creative energies towards writing. His diary entry in July 1843 reveals a budding desire to pursue a literary career. He quickly acted on this inclination, publishing political and other forms of poetry, with his first collection appearing in 1846. The year 1848 marked a significant turning point when the Zurich government awarded him a stipend, allowing him to attend lectures in Heidelberg, Germany. During this period, Keller encountered the atheist philosopher Ludwig Feuerbach, whose ideas profoundly influenced him, liberating him from the constraints of his religious upbringing and leading him to embrace a life-affirming philosophy.

Berlin: A Crucible for Creativity

In 1850, another government stipend enabled Keller to travel to Berlin to study theater. This time in Berlin proved to be remarkably productive. While there, he completed the initial draft of his seminal novel, Green Henry, and the first volume of The People of Seldwyla, setting the stage for future literary endeavors. Upon his return to Zurich in 1855, Keller attempted to sustain himself solely through his writing, a venture that faced financial hurdles and often left him despondent.

Civic Duty and Financial Stability

Financial stability came in 1861 when Keller accepted a position as state clerk for the Zurich canton. This role not only provided much-needed financial security but also instilled the discipline necessary for his writing pursuits. Keller served diligently in this capacity until his retirement, dedicating his spare time to literary endeavors.

Matters of the Heart

Despite his literary success, Keller's personal life was marked by a series of romantic disappointments. Shy by nature and self-conscious about his physical appearance, he struggled in matters of love and remained a bachelor throughout his life. In 1866, he became engaged to Luise Scheidegger, but tragedy struck when she took her own life, purportedly affected by a negative article about Keller. In friendships, Keller experienced better fortune, maintaining relationships with notable figures such as the composer Richard Wagner and architect Gottfried Semper, although he notably avoided fellow Swiss writer Conrad Ferdinand Meyer.

Late Literary Achievements

During his early years as state clerk, Keller's focus on writing waned, but following the grand celebration of his fiftieth birthday by the city of Zurich, he rekindled his passion for literature. In the subsequent twelve years, he published four major works, cementing his legacy as a significant literary figure. Even after retiring from public service in 1876, Keller continued to reside in Zurich, albeit becoming increasingly isolated even as his fame grew.

A Legacy in Zurich

When Keller passed away in 1890, his funeral bore testament to his impact, attended by the entire Zurich city government, faculty from the University of Zurich, representatives from the Swiss national government, and a multitude of admirers from Switzerland and beyond. His contributions to Swiss literature endured, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of his homeland.