Anton Wilhelm von Zuccalmaglio

Who was Anton Wilhelm von Zuccalmaglio?

Anton Wilhelm Florentin von Zuccalmaglio was a German dialectologist, folklorist, folk-song collector, poet, and composer. Born in Waldbröl, he was one of six children born to politician and jurist Jakob Salentin von Zuccalmaglio and Clara Deycks. His brother Vinzenz Jakob von Zuccalmaglio was a successful writer and poet.

The song „Kein schöner Land in dieser Zeit“ was published by him as an „Abendlied“ in 1840. It was one of many in a collection of Volksliedern, but in fact Anton Wilhelm von Zuccalmaglio himself is the author of "Kein schöner Land in dieser Zeit". One of those words is confusing even to some German native speakers, as "schöner" is here a shortened form of "kein schöneres Land ...", ′not one land/country more beautiful ...′. The song continues to be found in almost every collection of traditional German songs.

He died at Haus Nachrodt near Altena.