Robert schumann facts, though interesting and diverse, do not entirely capture the man. He was born in 1810 and died forty-six years later. He was one of the most influential composers in Classical music, and is today remembered for his innovation and experimentation with various musical styles. He met and fell in love with Clara Weick, but was forced to sue for the right to marry because her father did not approve of the couple. He and Clara had eight children, and for the most part she was their sole support. Schumann, though a successful composure and critic, was also beset by mental illness and spent the final two years of his life in an institution, before taking his own life.