Google Doodle celebrates the birthday of German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche

Today's Google Doodle celebrates the 169th birthday of German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, whom many remember for his declaration "God is dead" and rejection of religion.

Born in 1844 in the small town of Röcken, near Leipzig, in the Prussian Province of Saxony, Nietzsche attended a boys school before commencing his studies in theology and classical philology at the University of Bonn.

Despite never receiving his doctorate, he was appointed the position of Chair of Classical Philology at the University of Basel aged just 24.

Among his most famous ideas are the Apollonian/ Dionysian dichotomy, 'will to power' and the death of God.

His essays often questioned the value and objectivity of truth and the harmful effect he believed the Christian faith could have on society.

Nietzsche's most influential works include Beyond Good and Evil, The Birth of Tragedy and The Will to Power.

He suffered a breakdown in 1889 having struggled with mental health issues his whole life. He was placed under the care of his mother and subsequently his sister Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche, who assumed the role of curator of his manuscripts. He died in 1900.