German composer, musicologist, teacher and collector of folk songs. Born in the family of cantor and organist Adam Wilhelm Erk. From 1826 he taught music at the Teachers' seminary in Mersa. In 1835, Eric moved to Berlin, where he lived and worked until the end of his life. In Berlin, Erk taught and also directed performances of choral music. Under the editorship of Erk, several song collections have been published, which have gained wide popularity. Erk also gained recognition as a collector of German song folklore. His activity was aimed at preserving and reviving folk songs in schools and choral societies and was influenced by the ideas of Johann Pestalozzi about universal public education.
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