Heinrich Heine was born in Düsseldorf in 1797 and died in Paris in 1856.
He was one of the most important German poets and journalists. He was a lyricist, a romantic and, above all, a free spirit.
As the Rhineland was Prussian during Heine's active period, this did not go down particularly well with the authorities. Heine was increasingly criticised for his political views.
In 1831, Heine went to Paris. Throughout his life, he longed for Germany.
In 1823, Heine wrote what is probably the most famous song about the Rhine; the song of the Loreley: ‘I don't know what it means...’.