Why is Johann Gottfried von Herder considered a leading figure of Sturm und Drang?

Johann Gottfried von Herder is considered the leading figure of the Sturm und Drang movement because his ideas provided the intellectual foundation for its Promethean and irrationalist motifs, which were essential for the later development of German Classical and Romantic literature.1

His influence was pivotal for several reasons:

• Intellectual Leadership: Herder collaborated on the manifesto Von deutscher Art und Kunst, which served as a guiding text for the movement. His work challenged the Enlightenment cult of rationalism, emphasizing instead the importance of feeling (Gefühl), human individualism, and the unity of human nature.21
• Cultural Inspiration: He inspired a generation of writers, most notably J.W. von Goethe, by fostering an appreciation for Shakespeare, Gothic architecture, and the power of folk songs as the authentic "mother tongue of mankind".213
• Philosophy of History: Herder shifted the focus of history toward social and cultural development, arguing that the spirit of a culture is embedded in its language and traditions, rather than being graded by rationalist standards.41

By elevating the historical imagination and stressing the indivisible wholeness of human nature, Herder became a primary catalyst for the movement's rejection of rigid conventions.41