Johann Andreas Silbermann, born on June 26, 1712, in Strasbourg, was a prominent Alsatian organ builder. He was the son of Andreas Silbermann, an esteemed organ builder originally from Saxony, and the nephew of Gottfried Silbermann, another notable organ builder in Saxony. Johann Andreas took over his father's workshop after Andreas's death in 1734, continuing the family tradition with the city's approval. Over his career, he built approximately 40 organs in various locations, including Arlesheim, Colmar, Strasbourg, Molsheim, and Gries. In addition to his work as an organ builder, he published a history of Strasbourg in 1775. He passed away at the age of 71 in Strasbourg, and his son Josias, also an organ builder, died three years later in 1786.

Silbermann's extensive handwritten legacy is preserved in Paris, Strasbourg, and Dresden and has been gradually published over the years. These writings, intended for personal use, include notes sometimes written in code and provide a detailed, often humorous glimpse into his life and work. The Silbermann Archive, housed in Paris, consists of five main volumes and additional notes. These documents were started when he was just fifteen and were often revised and supplemented over time. The archive was published in 1994 by Marc Schaefer.

Among Silbermann's notable writings are his Strasbourg Diary and his 1741 travel diary. The Strasbourg Diary details both his father's and his own organs, enriched with additional information by his son Johann Josias. His travel diary from 1741 documents a journey through Saxony to learn about his family's origins. It includes detailed descriptions, sketches, engravings, and newspaper clippings, offering a vivid portrayal of the 18th-century musical world. This diary, containing nearly 300 pages, was acquired by the Saxon State Library in 2014 and has since been digitized and made available online.

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Andreas_Silbermann