The son of a farmer and grandson of the Mayor of Habelschwerdt (now Bystrzyca Kłodzka), he was born in the Hallmannschen Haus, Ring no.
The death of his father thwarted his plan of a habilitation, and he took employment as a private tutor in Berlin.
His first works, Das Hohe Lied and Viktor, were published in 1845 and 1847 and attracted a cult following.
In 1854 he travelled to Italy, and in 1857 he was able to visit the major art exhibition in Manchester, taking the opportunity to explore England and Scotland, and, on the way home, Belgium and Paris.
Towards the end of 1860 he was appointed privy secretary in the offices of the General Intendant of the Royal Theatre.