Ferdinand von Deinhardstein is not a major literary figure as such, but a typical example of a man who carved out an impressive career in Metternich's Vienna as a civil servant and writer. Castelli, another important Viennese figure in something of the same mould, referred to Deinhardstein's 'geniale Keckheit' ('brilliant cheekiness'). This bon viveur changed his job many times, bettering his position with each new appointment; he taught aesthetics at the University, worked as a censor and became director of the Burgtheater. He was editor of various publications, the most notable of which was the Jahrbuch der Litteratur (from 1829) which put forward the government's 'patriotic' viewpoint.

from notes by Graham Johnson © 1994