“ Voss was a man of a remarkably independent and vigorous character. In 1785-95 he published in two volumes a collection of original poems, to which he afterwards made many additions. The best of these works is his idyllic poem Luise (1795) , in which he sought, with much success, to apply the style and methods of classical poetry to the expression of modern German thought and sentiment. ”

“ In 1782 he accepted the rectorship of the gymnasium at Eutin, where he remained until 1802. Retiring in this year with a pension of 600 thalers he settled at Jena, and in 1805, although Goethe used his utmost endeavours to persuade him to stay, accepted a call to a professorship at Heidelberg. ”