Born the son of domestic servants, Wezel studied Theology, Law, Philosophy, and Philology at the University of Leipzig.

Early philosophical influences include John Locke and Julien Offray de La Mettrie.

After positions as a tutor at the courts of Bautzen and Berlin, Wezel lived as a freelance writer.

A short stay in Vienna did not result in him getting employed by the local, national theater.

His rediscovery in the second half of the 20th century is mainly due to German author Arno Schmidt who published a radio essay about him in 1959.