| Born: July 5, 1546 - Schmalkalden, Germany
Died: May 5, 1613 – Meiningen, Germany
Johann Steurlein was the son of Caspar Steuerlein, or Steurlein, the first Lutheran pastor of Schmalkalden. Steuerlein completed his study of law and c. 1580 was appointed town-clerk of Wasungen (between Schmalkalden and Meiningen).
In 1589 he became secretary in the chancery at Meiningen to the Henneberg administration. Then he was a notary public and c. 1604 was mayor at Meiningen. He was crowned as poet by the Emperor Rudolph II in recognition of his work of rhyming the Old and New Testaments in German.
Steurlein was the author of a metrical version of Ecclestasticus published at Frankfurt a. M. in 1581. He was an excellent musician and published various works containing melodies and four-part settings by himself. |
