Kling, Johann Michael ("Matchstick Man")

Street performer, impromptu poet

Born: 1791 in Dotzheim

died: 1861 in Wiesbaden

"Hanmichel" Kling was a community servant and announced the latest news from the community and the administration as a town crier or "Ausscheller". He also sold matches. This is why he was also known as the "matchstick man".

However, he achieved real fame in the 1940s and 1950s as an impromptu poet and improviser of comic and contemplative verses, with which he entertained passers-by in the squares and streets of Wiesbaden. His reply to a group of students became famous: "My dear Mr. Cadet, Go up to your bed, Cover your ears, You'll be majors after all!"

Kling was buried in Dotzheim.