ABSTRACT
Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844-1900) was born in Röcken, Prussia. He was the eldest of three children. His father and both grandfathers were ordained Lutheran ministers, and early on he seemed destined for the ministry (other children called him the “little pastor”). His father died at the age of 36, when Friedrich was only five. About five months later his baby brother Joseph also died, and was buried wrapped in his father’s arms.
