GLEIM, JOHANN WILHELM LUDWIG (1719-1803), a minor German poet, was born April 2, 1719, near Halberstadt, and died there February 18, 1803, after having occupied, during half a century, the situation of secretary to the chapter of Halberstadt. "Father Gleim" was the title accorded to him throughout all literary Germany on account of his kind-hearted though inconsiderate and undiscriminating patronage alike of the poets and poetasters of the period. He wrote a large number of feeble imitations of Anacreon, Horace, and the miunesiugers, a dull didactic poem entitled Halladat oder des rothe Bitch (Halberstadt, 1774, 4th ed. 1812), and collections of fables and romances (Fabeln, Berlin, 1756-57; Romanzen, Berlin and Leipsic, 1756; Lieder, Fabeln, and Ronianzen, Berlin; 1758). Of higher merit are his Preussische Kriegslieder eines Grenadiers (Berlin, 1758). These, which were inspired by time campaigns of 1'riederick II., is often distinguished by genuine feeling and vigorous force of expression. They are also noteworthy as being the first of that long series of noble political songs in which later German literature-is so rich. With this exception, Gleim's writings are for the most part tamely commonplace in thought and expression. His very best odes have only a certain feeble prettiness to recommend them. A few, as IJas Ilittichen and Aim, Leideon, have still some popularity, and appear in most collections of German poetry.

See Gleim'sSammtliche Werke (7 vols., Halberstadt, 1811-1813), and Korte's Gleim's Leber ens seinen Brirfen, and SchrOen, (Halberstadt, 1811).