Karl Wilhelm Osterwald

Karl Wilhelm Osterwald (23 February 1820 in Bretsch (Altmark) – 27 March 1887 in Mühlhausen) was a German teacher, author, writer of Protestant church poetry and nature lover.

Osterwald studied at the Gymnasium in Salzwedel and the Franckesche Stiftungen in Halle an der Saale.

In 1889, his former student Richard von Hertwig pressed for the erection of a monument in his memory in the Mühlhäuser Stadtwald.

Osterwald, together with the cathedral organist Engel in Merseburg, prepared an edition of the Geistlichen Lieder of Johann Franck, providing new texts.

The Evangelical Lutheran hymnal of the early 20th century features his works including O du mein Trost und süßes Hoffen for Advent and Heilge Nacht, ich grüße dich for Christmas.