Eckermann was born at Winsen (Luhe) in Harburg, Holy Roman Empire, of humble parentage, and was brought up in penury and privation.

[1] Eckermann is chiefly remembered for his important contributions to the knowledge of the great poet contained in his Conversations with Goethe (1836–1848).

To Eckermann Goethe entrusted the publication of his Nachgelassene Schriften (posthumous works) (1832–1833).

He was also joint-editor with Friedrich Wilhelm Riemer (1774–1845) of the complete edition of Goethe's works in 40 volumes (1839–1840).

[3] Besides this work and the Beiträge zur Poesie, Eckermann published a volume of poems (Gedichte, 1838.