Named for the German poet and social critic Fritz Reuter (1810–1874), co-founder of the new Low German literature and one of its greatest humorists. He often expressed worldly wisdom by descriptions of celestial bodies, especially the sun. His work, most of which takes place in Mecklenburg {see planet  (6124)}, criticizes unjust social conditions. As a student he was imprisoned for seven years because of his views in favor of democracy and the unity of Germany. Although written in a regional dialect, his work has been widely translated. (M 32792) _ _.