Franz Schubert Family Tree: The Story Behind 600 Lieder

Franz Peter Schubert (1797–1828), born 31 January 1797 in Himmelpfortgrund, Vienna, Habsburg Monarchy, and died 19 November 1828 in Vienna, was the master of the German Lied (art song) and Classical-Romantic transition — 600+ lieder including Winterreise, Die schöne Müllerin, Erlkönig; 9 symphonies ("Unfinished" Symphony No. 8); Trout Quintet, String Quintet in C; Ave Maria — died at 31 of typhoid fever.

The Family's Roots: A Vienna Schoolteacher's Family

Father was schoolteacher; mother a housemaid before marriage.

His Parents

Father: Franz Theodor Schubert (1763–1830) — Moravian schoolteacher.

Mother: Elisabeth Vietz Schubert (1756–1812) — Silesian housemaid; died when Franz was 15.

His Siblings

Franz was 12th of 14 siblings — only 5 survived infancy. Notable: Ignaz (1785–1844), Ferdinand (1794–1859), Karl (1796–1855).

No wife; no children (died young of typhoid; never married).

The Schubert Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Franz Theodor Schubert (1763–1830) — schoolteacher.

Mother: Elisabeth Vietz (1756–1812).

Surviving siblings: Ignaz (1785–1844); Ferdinand (1794–1859); Karl (1796–1855); Franz was 12th of 14.

No marriage; no children.

Franz Schubert:

  • Born 31 January 1797, Vienna
  • Composed first song at 13; Vienna Boys' Choir 1808-1813
  • Trained as schoolteacher (family profession)
  • Erlkönig (1815) at 18 — breakthrough Lied
  • 600+ Lieder in his 31-year life
  • Only one paid public concert during his life — 26 March 1828
  • Died: 19 November 1828, Vienna — typhoid fever at 31

What the Schubert Family Story Teaches Us

A schoolteacher father. A housemaid mother lost at 15. 12th of 14 children — only 5 survived infancy. Never married; no children. A career of 600+ lieder in 31 years — most published posthumously.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Schubert story carries the same lesson. Some careers write 600 songs in 31 years and see almost none published in life.

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