Weber was born in
Alhausen, near
Bad Driburg, in
Westphalia. His father was forester for the Count of Asseburg. Weber first attended the village school, then when thirteen years old he went to the
Gymnasium at
Paderborn, and afterwards studied medicine at the
University of Greifswald. His talent for poetry had been evidenced at the gymnasium; at university, it grew. After spending two years at Greifswald he went to
Breslau, where he became acquainted with
Gustav Freitag. After a year, however, he returned to Greifswald, where he obtained a doctorate; thence he went to Berlin, where he passed the state medical examination with great honour. After a brief journey for recreation to southern Germany he settled as a physician in Driburg, where he spent twenty-six years. His practice as a doctor did not keep him from writing poetry. In 1887 he settled permanently at
Nieheim. In 1863 he was made
Sanitätsrat (honorary title given to a distinguished doctor) in recognition of his medical services; he was made an honorary doctor of philosophy by the academy in
Munich, and when he celebrated his semi-centennial as a physician he received the
Order of the Red Eagle, fourth class, while three years before his death he received the further honour of the title of
Geheimen Sanitätsrat. He was elected a member of the Prussian House of Deputies. He remained a member of the
Centre Party until 1893, when he declined a re-election on account of his health. == Work ==