born at Nuremberg Sept. 21, 1487, studied theology at Leipzig and Wittenberg, and became a priest during a stay in Italy. On his return to Germany his relations became intimate with Luther, to whose influence is attributed the deep Christian experience which characterize the productions of his pen. Hesse is considered one of the first German sacred poets, and many of his hymns are sung in the German churches of today. — Wolff, Encyklop. d. deutsch. — Nationallit. 4, 83. (J. H. W.)