Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller (November 10, 1759 - May 9, 1805) was a German poet, philosopher, historian, and playwright. During the last years of his life, he struck up a friendship with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. They frequently discussed issues concerning aesthetics, and Schiller encouraged Goethe to finish works he left as sketches. This relationship and these discussions led to a period now referred to as Weimar Classicism. They also worked together on Xenien, a collection of short satirical poems in which both Schiller and Goethe challenge opponents to their philosophical vision. Schiller wrote many philosophical papers on ethics and aesthetics and is considered by most Germans to be Germany's most important classical playwright. For his achievements, Schiller was ennobled in 1802 by the Duke of Weimar, adding the nobiliary particle "von" to his name. He died of tuberculosis in 1805 at the age of 45.