Ludwig van Beethoven
Breadwinner for his brothers at 18; kept composing for a quarter century after his hearing began to fail.
Ludwig van Beethoven was born in 1770 in Bonn, Electorate of Cologne (now Germany). Ludwig van Beethoven's background is described as German; Flemish descent. Growing up, the family was working class — court-singer father, an alcoholic and harsh teacher; his mother died when he was 16 and the household fell to him. Breadwinner for his brothers at 18; kept composing for a quarter century after his hearing began to fail.
- Born
- 1770 · Bonn, Electorate of Cologne (now Germany)
- Roots
- German; Flemish descent
- Family
- Working class
- Court-singer father, an alcoholic and harsh teacher; his mother died when he was 16 and the household fell to him.
- Education
- Court musicians in Bonn; later lessons with Haydn in Vienna
- Started with
- A court petition
- At 18, petitioned for half his father's salary to support his two brothers.
- Affiliations & societies
- FreemasonryRumor — unverified
- Suggested by some biographers from circumstantial evidence; no lodge records exist.
- Information only — claims like these are often unverifiable and may be wrong.
The pathway
- 1789 · age 18Family breadwinner
The court grants him half his father's salary to keep his brothers fed.
- 1792 · age 21Vienna
Studies with Haydn; aristocratic patrons take him up as a pianist.
- 1802 · age 31The Heiligenstadt Testament
A never-sent letter confessing his encroaching deafness and despair — and his resolve to continue for his art.
- 1809 · age 38The annuity contract4,000 fl/yr
Three nobles pledge a joint yearly stipend with no duties attached, to keep him in Vienna.
- 1824 · age 53The Ninth premieres
Profoundly deaf, he has to be turned around to see the applause.
- 1827 · age 56Dies in Vienna
An estimated 20,000 people line the funeral route.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Ludwig van Beethoven from?
Ludwig van Beethoven was born in 1770 in Bonn, Electorate of Cologne (now Germany). Their background is described as German; Flemish descent.
When was Ludwig van Beethoven born?
Ludwig van Beethoven was born in 1770, in Bonn, Electorate of Cologne (now Germany).
What is Ludwig van Beethoven's background or ethnicity?
Ludwig van Beethoven's roots are described as German; Flemish descent. These are broad categories drawn from public sources, not statements about how the person identifies.
Where did Ludwig van Beethoven go to school?
Ludwig van Beethoven's education: Court musicians in Bonn; later lessons with Haydn in Vienna.
What was Ludwig van Beethoven's family background growing up?
At birth the family was working class. Court-singer father, an alcoholic and harsh teacher; his mother died when he was 16 and the household fell to him.
How did Ludwig van Beethoven get started?
Ludwig van Beethoven started with a court petition. At 18, petitioned for half his father's salary to support his two brothers.
Sources
Compiled from these references and contemporaneous press reporting. Figures are approximate; verify before relying on them.