Johann Christoph von Schmid (1768-1854) was a writer of children's stories and educator. He studied theology and was ordained priest in 1791. He then served as assistant in several parishes until 1796, when he was placed at the head of a large school in Thannhausen on the Mindel, where he taught for many years. He soon began writing books for children which taught Christian values. Many say that he was the pioneer writer of books for youths. His original purpose for writing was to reward his students after school by reading his books to them. His writings have been translated into 24 languages. His principle juvenile works are: Biblische Geschichte für Kinder, Der Weihnachtsabent, Genovena, Ostereier, Das Blumenkörbschen, and Erzählungen für Kinder und Kinderfreunde (1823- 1829). His autobiography, Erinnerungen aus Meinem Leben, was published in 1853-1857. From 1816 to 1826 he was parish priest at Oberstadion in Würtemberg. In 1826, Christoph von Schmid was appointed canon of the Cathedral of Augsburg, where he died of cholera when he was eighty seven.