1814, GERMANY: The german french-born poet, writer and botanist ADELBERT VON CHAMISSO (1781-1838). Title page of the Chamisso first edition book PETER SCHLEMIHL (Peter Senzombra-1814), a famous story about a man who sold his shadow. He was commonly known in French as Adelbert de Chamisso(t) de Boncourt, a name referring to the family estate at Boncourt.