Education
Over the next three years he studied jurisprudence, gaining the degree of doctor of laws summa cum laude.
historian lawyer translator writer poet
Over the next three years he studied jurisprudence, gaining the degree of doctor of laws summa cum laude.
The Prussian general Blucher was his baptismal sponsor, whence his name. At age nineteen he submitted a volume of poems for the judgment of Adelbert von Chamisso and Gustav Schwab, and both expressed favourable opinions. This was followed shortly by another volume entitled Lyrische Anklange (Lyrical Melodies), grafted on the music of his favourites, Chamisso, Ludwig Uhland, Heinrich Heine, Friedrich Rückert, Schwab, and others
Another volume, entitled Vigilien (Vigils), followed, and in 1843 he published anonymously a third volume, Schlichte Lieder (Unpretentious Songs) embodying his battle-songs, Lieder eines Hanseaten.
He also wrote the two-act comedy Der Lebensretter (The Life-Saver) inscribing it: "A manuscript printed for (improvised) private theatricals". His Lieder der Kirche (Church Hymns) paved his way to becoming a translator of hymns (2d ed, 1868).
He also wrote a History of the Catholic Congregations in Hamburg and Altona. He likewise translated the Nachtigallenlied by the anonymous author known as "Pseudo-Bonaventura" and Rimbert Vita Ansgari.
He undertook the task of editing (in 1867) sources regarding the history of his native city in the Annuae Missionis Hamburgensis 1589-1781.
He moved to Feldkirch in the Vorarlberg, and became friendly with the poet Father Gall Morel. Dreves died in Feldkirch.