Frederic von, a celebrated German lyric poet, was born at Hohendodeleben, near Magdeburg, in January 1761. As his father had died shortly before his birth, he was brought up by his grandfather, the Protestant minister of his native village. He attended the school of Klosterbergen, and studied theology at the university of Halle; but a decided bias for literature and philology induced him to abandon his intention of entering the church, and to become a private tutor. After residing in this capacity at Altona, Heidelberg, and Mannheim, he sojourned for two years on the Lake of Geneva, beside his friend the philosopher Bonstetten. He was then intrusted with the education of a merchant's son at Lyons. In 1792 Matthisson returned to his native country; and in 1794 he was appointed reader to the reigning princess of Anhalt-Dessau. In this capacity he spent the next fourteen years in visiting Italy, the Tyrol, and part of Switzerland. On the death of the princess in 1812 he entered the service of the King of Württemberg, and was soon loaded with titles and honours. Following in the train of Duke William of Württemberg, Matthisson again visited Italy in 1819, and lived for several months at Florence. He died at Werlitz, near Dessau, in March 1831.

Among his countrymen Matthisson is a great favourite. His lyrics abound in tender sentiments and sweet rural pictures expressed in felicitous and harmonious verse. One of his pieces ("Adelaide") has been rendered doubly charming by the music of Beethoven. As a prose writer Matthisson is known by his Erinnerungen. He also published selections from the lyrical poetry of Germany, entitled Lyrische Anthologie, in 20 vols., Zurich, 1803-7. An edition of his works appeared in 6 vols., Zurich, 1825-29.