In 1820, the University of Berlin was founded in Germany, becoming a model for modern universities worldwide. It emphasized research, academic freedom, and the integration of various disciplines, including the humanities. This institution played a crucial role in shaping higher education and intellectual thought in Europe during the 19th century.

The University of Berlin became a hub for literary and philosophical thought, attracting influential figures such as Heinrich Heine and Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel. The intellectual environment fostered by the university encouraged the exploration of new ideas in poetry and literature, leading to the development of movements such as German Romanticism and influencing poets across Europe.