Complex sentence: Friedrich von Matthisson (23 January 1761--12 March 1831), German poet, was born at Hohendodeleben near Magdeburg, the son of the village pastor, on the 23rd of January 1761.
Split into simpler sentences: Friedrich von Matthisson (23 January 1761--12 March 1831) was a German poet. He was born at Hohendodeleben near Magdeburg, the son of the village pastor, on the 23rd of January 1761.