Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von, GUR tuh, YOH hahn VOHLF gahng fuhn (1749-1832), was a German poet, novelist, and playwright. He ranks among the most important and influential writers of modern European literature. His masterpiece is the verse play Faust (see Faust). Goethe was also a leading thinker and scientist. The scope and originality of his literary works and the diversity of his intellectual pursuits make him the central figure of German Classical and Romantic literature.