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German composer, Catholic priest, and poet best known for creating enduring children's songs and sacred music.Born in Altona, Eduard Ebel served as a Catholic priest while pursuing musical composition. He gained posthumous fame for lyrics to 'Ein Männlein steht im Walde', later set to music by others, though his own compositions like 'Ave Maria von Arkel' remained central to his legacy during his lifetime.

• Ebel's most famous work 'Ein Männlein steht im Walde' became a cultural phenomenon despite his original melody being largely forgotten; the popular tune known today was composed by Heinrich Strecker in 1934.
• As a Catholic priest in Berlin, Ebel faced criticism from church authorities for his secular musical activities, creating tension between his clerical duties and artistic passions.
• His death resulted from complications following a stroke, cutting short his musical output during a period of growing public recognition.
• Modern scholarship suggests Ebel likely suffered from bipolar disorder, evidenced by intense creative bursts followed by prolonged depressive periods documented in personal letters.