Liliencron, Detlev, Freiherr von [key], 1844–1909, German lyric poet, b. Schleswig-Holstein. First a Prussian army officer and later a minor government official, he retired in 1885 to devote himself to writing. Liliencron was one of the first German lyric poets to break with the romantic tradition. His verse, varied, colorful, and humorous, is impressionistic rather than naturalistic. Brahms and Richard Strauss set some of it to music. Among his work is Adjutantenritte (1883), which reflects his love of the martial life and the mock epic Poggfred (1896; final version, 1906).
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