Background
He was born at Straupitz (Polish: Strupice), near Liegnitz in Silesia, a son of the village pastor.
He was born at Straupitz (Polish: Strupice), near Liegnitz in Silesia, a son of the village pastor.
He attended the gymnasium at Liegnitz, and studied theology at the university of Halle.
In 1804 he obtained a tutorship in Street St. Petersburg. Owing to an outburst of jealousy against Germans in Russia, culminating in police supervision, Raupach left Street St. Petersburg in 1822 and undertook a journey to Italy. The literary fruits of his travels were Hirsemeuzels Briefe aus und über Italien (Hirsemeuzel"s Letters from and about Italy, 1823).
He next visited Weimar, but, being coldly received by Goethe, abandoned his idea of living there and settled in 1824 in Berlin.
Here he spent the remainder of his life, writing for the stage, which for twenty years he greatly influenced, if not wholly controlled, in the Prussian capital. He died at Berlin on March 18, 1852.
The 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica attributed the popularity of his comedies and tragedies to their skillful dramatic handling, but thought the historical dramas cited superficial in treatment. Britannica of 1911 conceded a great knowledge of theatrical effect and situations to Raupach, but complained that he contorted historical facts in order to foster support for the separation of church and state.
The 1905 New International Encyclopedia thought his writings display great knowledge of stage effect, a talent for the invention of new and interesting situations, and a fine play of verbal wit.