Wilhelm Richard Wagner was born in Leipzig on 22 May 1813.

As you can imagine of somebody who led such a dramatic and turbulent life, there are 100s of interesting stories about Wagner in the Archive.

Indeed, you can trace the course of much of Wagner’s life simply by reading old newspaper stories about him in the Archive.

So to mark the bicentenary of his birth, we’ve posted below a portrait of Wagner from ‘The Graphic’ newspaper and also some 19th Century newspaper reports about his life and work.

The Graphic – Saturday 17 February 1883

Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000057/18830217/003/0003

The Examiner – Saturday 17 September 1870

Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000054/18700917/009/0007

Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser – Friday 16 February 1883

Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000206/18830216/053/0007

Aberdeen Evening Express – Wednesday 14 February 1883

Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000444/18830214/069/0004