The great German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche was born in 1844 in Rücken. He was only five years old when he lost his father, a Protestant pastor.

After brilliant studies in classical philology at Bonn, he became, at the age of twenty-five, a professor at the University of Basel. At that time, he discovered the work of philosopher Schopenhauer and formed a friendly bond with composer Richard Wagner.

Very soon, Nietzsche would carve his own path. He resigned from his position at the university, distanced himself from Schopenhauer's theories, and ended his relationship with Wagner. Living a wandering life in small guesthouses in Switzerland, northern Italy, and southern France, he dedicated himself to the critique of metaphysics, ethics, religion, and other aspects of Western culture, writing incessantly.

Nietzsche died in 1900 after spending the last twelve years of his life having lost his sanity.

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