Of the Beethovens' seven children, only three
boys survived.
Ludwig, the eldest, became the talented
composer whom we know. He felt himself responsible
for his brothers, even when they became aldults
and married. Even so, in 1795, the two men
rejoined Beethoven in Vienna all the same...
Kaspar Anton Karl (often named Karl,
like his son) was the closest of the two brothers
to Beethoven. After having tried his hand
at music, following in his brothers footsteps,
he worked as a clerk in the Department of
Finance. He died of consumption and left his
son, Karl under the joint guardianship of
his wife and Ludwig. Kaspar was the only Beethoven
of this generation to have a child.
Nikolaus Johann (generally known as
Johann),became first of all an apothocary,
but later declared himself as 'land-owner'
(to which his composer brother retorted that
in this case he himself was a brain-owner'!).
Siblings:
The seven children of Ludwig's parents
Portrait
of Ludwig van Beethoven,
