Career
He was the son of publisher Johann Friedrich Pierer (1767–1832). He studied medicine at the University of Jena, afterwards being involved in the Napoleonic Wars. He fought in the Battle of Leipzig, being wounded at the storming of Wachau, and later participated in the Battle of Waterloo.
Following the end of hostilities he worked as a schoolteacher in Posen, and in 1820 became a partner in his father"s printing business.