Hamann was born on August 27, 1730 in Königsberg (now Kaliningrad, Russia).
Initially he studied theology at the University of Königsberg, but became a clerk in a mercantile house and afterward held many small public offices, devoting his leisure to reading philosophy.
His first publication was a study in political economy about a dispute on nobility and trade.
 He wrote under the nom de plume of “the Magus of the North” (German: Magus im Norden).
Hamann was a believer in the Enlightenment until a mystical experience in London in 1758.

His translation of David Hume into German is considered by most scholars as the one that Hamann's friend, Immanuel Kant, also from Königsberg, had read and referred to as inspiration for awakening from "dogmatic slumber".
Hamann and Kant held each other in mutual respect, although Hamann once declined an invitation by Kant to co-write a physics textbook for children.
Hamann also introduced Kant to the work of Rousseau.
Hamann was born on August 27, 1730 in Königsberg (now Kaliningrad, Russia). Initially he studied theology at the University of Königsberg, but became a clerk in a mercantile house and afterward held many small public offices, devoting his leisure to reading philosophy. His first publication was a study in political economy about a dispute on nobility and trade.  He wrote under the nom de plume of “the Magus of the North” (German: Magus im Norden). Hamann was a believer in the Enlightenment until a mystical experience in London in 1758.
His translation of David Hume into German is considered by most scholars as the one that Hamann's friend, Immanuel Kant, also from Königsberg, had read and referred to as inspiration for awakening from "dogmatic slumber". Hamann and Kant held each other in mutual respect, although Hamann once declined an invitation by Kant to co-write a physics textbook for children. Hamann also introduced Kant to the work of Rousseau.
Johann Georg Hamann