Robert Schumann

Schumann had no middle name.

As a child, Schumann took flute, piano and cello lessons.

Since his father was a bookseller, Schumann was surrounded by literature as a boy and planned to become a writer.

Schumann's career as a virtuoso pianist was ruined by a "numbness" in his hand, which may have been the result of a homemade stretching device.

Even after Schumann decided on a musical career, he continued to write poetry, plays and short stories.

A shy, quiet man, Schumann enjoyed silence and often took long walks through the countryside.

Schumann struggled with depression and mental illness throughout much of his life.

Schumann was a devoted father to his eight children, and was very involved in their upbringing.

Schumann fell in love with his piano teacher's daughter, Clara, and would eventually marry her.

Schumann's wife, Clara, a talented pianist, helped support their large family with her concert tours.

The year of Schumann's marriage has been dubbed "The Year of Song" for his prolific output of songs, inspired by his love for Clara.

The music in Schumann's Album for the Young was originally composed as a present for his daughter Marie's seventh birthday.

Schumann's intense and varying moods were often reflected in his compositions.

Schumann spent his final years in a mental asylum.