Fils studied law and theology at the University of Ingolstadt, and in 1754 became part of the "Mannheimer Hofkapelle" as a cellist.
Although he died at age 26, he left an extensive body of work, including at least thirty-four symphonies.
He also attributed Fils' early death to "his bizarre notion of eating spiders" (Schubart 1806, 141).
Retellings of this legend were elaborated to include Fils assuring horrified observers that spiders tasted like fresh strawberries (Anon.
The tale still circulates as a curious bit of classical music trivia (Moore 2010, [page needed]).