His father, Theodor Schwarz, pastor at Wiek, was well known as a preacher, and as the writer of a number of popular works (parables, romances, etc.)

In 1849, however, he was appointed professor extraordinarius, and later received a number of distinctions (in 1858 chief court preacher, etc.).

Schwarz took an important part in the founding and directing of the German Protestantenverein and became an eminent exponent of liberal theology.

His work Zur Geschichte der neuesten Theologie (1856, 4th edition 1869) is a valuable source for the history of theology in Germany.

His other works include Lessing als Theologe (1854) and Grundriss der christlichen Lehre (1873, 5th edition 1876).