He has traditionally been credited with the composition of "Salve Regina", "Veni Sancte Spiritus",[1] and "Alma Redemptoris Mater",[2][3] although these attributions are sometimes questioned.

[4] Based on the evidence, however, more recent scholarship indicates Hermann possibly had either amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or spinal muscular atrophy.

At twenty, Hermann entered their order as a Benedictine monk,[7] becoming literate in several languages (including Arabic, Greek and Latin) and contributing to all four arts of the quadrivium.

As an historian, he wrote a detailed chronicle from the birth of Christ to his own present day, ordering them after the reckoning of the Christian era.

He was famous enough that he appears to have been credited with compositions by later writers; among the works traditionally attributed to him are the Salve Regina ("Hail Queen"), Veni Sancte Spiritus ("Come Holy Spirit"), and Alma Redemptoris Mater ("Nourishing Mother of the Redeemer").