Johann Wolfgang von GoetheGoe·the, Jo·hann Wolf·gang von /ˈɡɜːtə $ ˈɡəʊ-, ˈjəʊhæn ˈwʊlfɡæŋ vɒn $ -hɑːn- -vɑːn/ (1749–1832) a German poet and scientist, and one of the best-known writers of plays and books of all time, known especially for his play Faust