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Austrian literature is the German language literature written in Austria. We can speak about Austrian literature in the strict sense from the year 1803 on when Francis II disbanded Holy Roman Empire and established Empire of Austria. A more liberal definition incorporates all the literary works written on the territory of historical Austria and German speaking authors who were tightly connected with the country. The Austrian literature must be considered in close connection with German literature in general and the borderline between proper German literature and the Austrian one is fuzzy. German (called Deutsch in German; in German the term germanisch is equivalent to English Germanic), is a member of the western group of Germanic languages and is one of the worlds major languages. ... 1803 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Francis II Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor, who is also referred to as Francis von Habsburg or Emperor Franz I of Austria (February 12, 1768 – March 2, 1835) was the last Holy Roman Emperor, ruling from 1792 until August 6, 1806, when the Empire was disbanded. ... Coats of arms of the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire This page is about the Germanic empire. ... Flag of the Habsburg Monarchy, the Austrian Empire until 1867 and of the Austrian part of Austria-Hungary until 1918. ...

Origin and background

There are and have been many tries to work out a complete definition of Austrian literature. Something most people can agree on is that there are certain differences and distinctive motives common in this literature which make it stand apart from other literary traditions.

The Austrian literature can be divided into two main divisions, namely the period up until the mid-20th century, and the period subsequent, in which both the Austro-Hungarian and German empires were gone. Austria went from being a major European power, to being a small country. In addition, there is a body of literature which some would deem Austrian, but is not written in German.

Complementing its status as a land of artists, Austria is a country where great poets, writers and novelists lived and created their literary works. It was the home of novelists Arthur Schnitzler, Stefan Zweig, Franz Kafka, Thomas Bernhard or Robert Musil, of poets Georg Trakl, Franz Werfel, Franz Grillparzer, Rainer Maria Rilke or Adalbert Stifter. Famous contemporary playwrights and novelists are Elfriede Jelinek and Peter Handke. Arthur Schnitzler Arthur Schnitzler (May 15, 1862 - October 21, 1931) was an Austrian writer and doctor. ... Stefan Zweig Stefan Zweig (November 28, 1881 – February 22, 1942) was an Austrian writer. ... Franz Kafka (July 3, 1883 – June 3, 1924) was one of the major German-language novelists and short story writers of the 20th century, most of whose works were published posthumously. ... Thomas Bernhard Thomas Bernhard (February 9, 1931 - February 12, 1989) was an Austrian playwright and novelist. ... Robert Musil (Klagenfurt, Austria, November 6, 1880 – April 15, 1942 in Geneva, Switzerland) was an Austrian writer, author of the unfinished long novel The Man Without Qualities (in German, Der Mann ohne Eigenschaften), one of the most important modernist novels. ... Georg Trakl Georg Trakl (February 3, 1887 - November 3, 1914) was an Austrian poet, whose deeply disturbing work assaults the emotions with its powerful metaphors of destruction, death, the search for meaning, and a tenuous relationship with God. ... Franz Werfel, photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1940 Franz Werfel (September 10, 1890 - August 26, 1945) was a German language novelist, playwright, and poet. ... Franz Seraphicus Grillparzer (January 15, 1791 - January 21, 1872), Austrian dramatic poet, was born in Vienna. ... Rainer Maria Rilke (4 December 1875 – 29 December 1926) is generally considered the German languages greatest 20th century poet. ... Adalbert Stifter (23 October 1805 _ 28 January 1868) was an Austrian writer, poet, painter, and German-speaking world, while almost entirely unknown to English readers. ... Elfriede Jelinek talking to anti-government protesters in Vienna, June 2000 Elfriede Jelinek (born 20 October 1946) is an Austrian feminist playwright and novelist. ... Peter Handke (born December 6, 1942) is an avant-garde Austrian novelist and playwright. ...

This article tries to provide some definitions which together may give a better understanding of authors and literature in Austria and its territorial predecessors.

The search for a definition

The main problem of defining a dynamic development may be that any definition will fall short of the various currents which lead to a certain type of literature. Through the centuries, there have been many different approaches, but most of them have been criticised to be biased - cultural, ideological or political. The Austrian literature developed out of a symbiosis of different regional traditions and languages.

In the Middle Ages, there was a homogeneous zone along the Danube river, spanning from Bavaria down to the eastern territories. Travellers and bards moved along this route, bringing with them new influences. At the same time Alps had their forbidding little valleys, which were virtually untouched - they developed their own regional culture.

This is important, because it remains characteristic through the centuries. On the one hand, there were writers strictly in the tradition of a region (like towns, countries etc.), language or culture, on the other hand there was a continuous influence on each others writing and thinking.

The multi-ethnic Austro-Hungarian Empire should therefore not be reduced to the German parts of the empire. There were large ethnic or religious minorities in nearly all regional capitals, like Prague, Budapest or Vienna - microcosmoses with their own traditions and characteristics. Official languages Latin, German, Hungarian Established church Roman Catholic Capital & Largest City Vienna pop. ... Prague (Czech: Praha, see also other names) is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. ... Budapest seen from north. ... Vienna (German: Wien [viːn]; Hungarian: Bécs, Czech: Vídeň, Slovak: Viedeň, Romany Vidnya; Serbian: Beč) is the capital of Austria, and also one of Austrias nine states (Land Wien). ...

Franz Kafka may be a good example: while in some of his writings he was declaring himself to be "German" this was meant more in relation to the ethnic minority living in Prague than as a declaration for another part of the empire. The official language in the school Franz went to was German, in private he spoke Czech, most of his works were written in German while private letters, like the ones to his lover Milena Jesenská were written in Czech. So perhaps he was a "German-speaking-secular-Jewish-born-in-Prague-Austro-Hungarian-Austro-Czech writer" - a term which best shows the difficulties that are to be faced. Franz Kafka (July 3, 1883 – June 3, 1924) was one of the major German-language novelists and short story writers of the 20th century, most of whose works were published posthumously. ...

Besides the national differences between the provinces, there were also different regions which influenced the writing style. There were Alps with their distinctive traditions, the deep woods, the coastal regions around Trieste (now Italy and Slovenia) and the Croatian islands, which served as the Austro-Hungarian equivalent to the French Cote d'Azur, a centre for writers, painters and other artists.

Literature through the centuries

Middle Ages

From the beginnings to the end of the early Middle Ages (about 750-1170)

Before and during the early Middle Ages poetry was was spread verbally most of the time. Out of this reason it has been lost nearly completely. The texts conserved are limited to the scripts in monasteries.
Materials were expensive and their production difficult. Therefore nearly only works of value - and that often meant religious texts - were written down. In addition most texts were also translated into latin before the were put down (e.g. Germanic tribal laws).
Different sources however suggest that there also existed aristocratic historical records (like Heldenlieder), lyric folklore (dance, love songs, spells). Only by accident individual texts were preserved in monasteries. Examples for this are the "Merseburger Zaubersprüche", two Germanic spells being the only written proofs for pagan religion in the German speaking lands. The "Hildebrandslied" is important as voucher of Germanic hero literature.

The first German texts were written to translate Latin religious books around 750 in the early Middle Ages. The Benedictine communities in Melk and Salzburg were carrying on notable literary and religious activities. Ava (1060-1127), who was the first known female writing in German, wrote in this religiously inspired tradition and lived in the territories which were then and now within borders of Austria. Events Last Umayyad caliph Marwan II (744-750) overthrown by first Abbasid caliph, Abu al-Abbas al-Saffah Bold textItalic textLink title GARY CANT SWIM GARY CANT SWIM GARY CANT SWIM GARY CANT SWIM GARY CANT SWIM GARY CANT SWIM GARY CANT SWIM... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times, beginning with the Renaissance. ... ... Melk seen from the abbey Stift Melk Melk (older spelling: Mölk) is a city of Austria, in the federal state of Lower Austria, next to the Wachau valley along the Danube. ... Flag of Salzburg Salzburg (population 145,000 in 2003) is a city in western Austria and the capital of the federal state of Salzburg (population 520,000 in 2003). ... Ava (c. ...

High and Late Middle Ages (1170 - 1500)

With the crusades around 1160, the knights became more important and prosperous. The oral minnesang was a new form, dealing with their live. The topics of the ballads were also more worldly with themes ranging from love and war to political criticism. There was a lot of travelling along the Danube river, with travelling bards (Minnesänger) bringing news and new songs. The towns were getting rich and independent. The first representants of this movement and first known male writers in German were Der von Kürenberg and Dietmar von Aist (12th century). At the end of 12th century one of the most important literary works of the times, Nibelungenlied, emerged. It was created by an unknown minnesang poet most probably in the territories of Austria. As the tradition of minnesang grew, the older poets started teaching younger ones. For example probably the most known German bard Walther von der Vogelweide (13ht century) learnt his craft from Reinmar von Hagenau at the court in Vienna. Among other known minnesang poets are Neidhart, Jans der Enikel, Ulrich von Liechtenstein, and Oswald von Wolkenstein. Events Erik den helige is succeeded by Karl Sverkersson. ... Minnesang was the tradition of lyric and song writing in Germany which flourished in the 12th century and continued into the 14th century. ... The Minnesänger were the troubadours who wrote love poetry in the courtly love tradition in Middle High German in the high middle ages. ... Der von Kürenberg or Der Kürenberger (Kuerenberg, Kuerenberger, Middle of the 12th century) is the oldest poet to write in old German whose name is known. ... The Nibelungenlied is an epic poem in Middle High German that takes Burgundian kings as its subject matter. ... Portrait of Walther von der Vogelweide. ... Reinmar der Alte in the Codex Manesse (14th century). ... Neidhart von Reuental was one of the most famous German minnesingers. ... Jans der Enikel, i. ... Ulrich von Liechtenstein (1200-1278) was a medieval nobleman, knight, politician and minnesinger. ...

In the 12th century, satire was also developing. Seifried Helbling was an example of a writer who wrote texts of this type. Satire is a literary technique of writing or art which exposes the follies of its subject (for example, individuals, organizations, or states) to ridicule, often as an intended means of provoking or preventing change. ...

Later on the minnesang, that was cultivated by knights, became a craft practised by burghers – meistersingers. Its centre was more to the west, in Nuremberg. Michael Beheim was a meistersinger poet strongly connected with the court in Vienna. Yet another form that developed at that time was drama. Especially, presentations of Passion were regularly played. Das Wiener Passionsspiel is worth mentioning here. A Meistersinger (German for master-singer) was a German lyric poet of the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, who carried on and developed the traditions of the medieval Minnesingers. ... Nuremberg coat of arms Location of Nuremberg Nuremberg (German: Nürnberg) is a city in the German state of Bavaria, in the administrative region of Middle Franconia. ... Vienna (German: Wien [viːn]; Hungarian: Bécs, Czech: Vídeň, Slovak: Viedeň, Romany Vidnya; Serbian: Beč) is the capital of Austria, and also one of Austrias nine states (Land Wien). ... Drama is a term generally used to refer to a literary form involving parts written for actors to perform. ... The Passion is the technical term for the suffering and Agony of Jesus that led directly to the Crucifixion, a central Christian event. ...

Renaissance

Around 1600, the humanism, with his rediscovery of the ancient cultures and ideals spread from Italy throughout Europe. Emperor Maximilian I was a big supporter of this movement. He managed to gather around his court in Vienna humanists such as Conrad Celtes – the founder of Collegium Poetarum or in the later time poet laureat Vadian (Joachim von Watt) who wrote in Latin. Eleonore of Austria translated to German a widely read French adventure novel Pontus et la belle Sidonie. Big figures of the Catholic Church of that time Nicholas of Cusa and Petrus Canisius were connected with Austrian court and a few of their works wrote in German. Humanism is a broad category of active ethical philosophies that affirm the dignity and worth of all people, based on our ability to rationally determine whats right. ... Portrait by Albrecht Dürer, 1519 (Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna). ... Vienna (German: Wien [viːn]; Hungarian: Bécs, Czech: Vídeň, Slovak: Viedeň, Romany Vidnya; Serbian: Beč) is the capital of Austria, and also one of Austrias nine states (Land Wien). ... Conrad Celtes (1459-1508) was a German Humanist scholar. ... Engraving by David Herrliberger from Zurich, 1748, after an older original Joachim Vadian (November 29, 1484 – April 6, 1551), born as Joachim von Watt, was a Swiss Humanist and scholar and also mayor and reformer in St. ... The Roman Catholic Church believes its founding was based on Jesus appointment of Saint Peter as the primary church leader, later Bishop of Rome. ... Nicholas of Cusa Nicholas of Cusa (1401 - August 11, 1464) was a cardinal of the Catholic Church, a philosopher, a mathematician, and an astronomer. ... Saint Petrus Canisius (May 8, 1521 – December 21, 1597) was an important Jesuit who fought against the spread of Protestantism in Germany, Austria, Bohemia, and Switzerland. ...

Baroque

The 30 year war gripped Europe the and the writers reacted: while some of them dealt with the gruel situation or turned to God, others wrote about a beautiful and peaceful world readers could flee to. The humorous stories (Schelmenromane) brought smiles to the suffering people. Abraham a Sancta Clara (around 1650) wrote religious and comical works. Catharina Regina von Greiffenberg (around 1650) wrote religious poems at that time. Abraham a Sancta Clara (July, 1644 - December 1, 1709), Austrian divine, was born at Kreenheinstetten, near Messkirch. ...

As a reaction to the protestant movements of Renaissance, many catholic schools emerged on the territories of Austria. These colleges lead by the Jesuit order developed plays and operas that were based on Italian style. Sermon was an important genre of the catholic literature of baroque. The mentioned above Benedictine monk Abraham a Sancta Clara was a notable preacher of the times. A jesuit, Georg Scherer, is another example of a monk the sermons of whom were published and had a wider audience. Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. ... The Society of Jesus (Latin: Societas Iesu), commonly known as the Jesuits, is a Roman Catholic religious order. ... The foyer of Charles Garniers Opéra, Paris, opened 1875 Opera refers to a dramatic art form, originating in Europe, in which the emotional content is conveyed to the audience as much through music, both vocal and instrumental as it is through the lyrics. ...

Enlightenment

With the start of Enlightenment around 1720, philosophy and the need of literature to educate the reader (Lehrdichtung, Bildungsroman) were two new and strong motivations for literature. Aristotle and his school of thinking was revived. These ideas developed on the territories of Austria during the rule of Maria Theresa and her son Joseph II. Around 1790 the ideas of Enlightenment were firmly rooted and the ancient classic cultures (Greek and Roman) were the inspiration for poets, artists, architects and writers. Harmony and Beauty were some of the ideals of that time. The Austrian literature was also under the strong influence of Freemasonry and strongly connected with the criticism towards clergy. All these circumstences caused that the litarature started to be more educative and instructional. The satire started to be one of the most frequently used literary genres. The literary life of Enlightenment concentrated around an almanac Wienerischer Musen-Almanach. It was started in 1777 (from 1786 under a changed title Wiener Musen-Almanach) by Joseph Franz von Ratschky and Gottlieb von Leon. Aloys Blumauer was also its editor since 1781 (he even edited a few editions alone). A notable place in the Austrian literature of this period has Johann Baptist von Alxinger who wrote chivalric epics Doolin von Maynz (1787) and Bliomberis (1791) that were inspired by the tradition of Freemasonry. Alxinger wrote also poetry which was based on anticlerical ideas. A profile of this kind had also the writings of a might-have-been monk Johann Pezzl. Classical vision of poetry promoted by Joseph Schreyvogel influenced strongly later authors (for instance Franz Grillparzer). Schreyvogel podniósł also on the poziom of the Austrian theatre. Another important theatre writer was Johann Nepomuk von Kalchberg, but historical themes of his dramas give his work the flavour of Romanticism. Enlightenment may refer to: Enlightenment (concept), a concept in mysticism, philosophy and psychology For the Hindu religious concept of enlightenment, see moksha For the Buddhist religious concept, see Bodhi, Satori For the Yoga concept of enlightenment, see Yogic Enlightenment The Age of Enlightenment, a period in European history For the... // Events January 6 - The Committee of Inquiry on the South Sea Bubble publishes its findings February 11 - Sweden and Prussia sign the (2nd Treaty of Stockholm) declaring peace. ... Aristotle, marble copy of bronze by Lysippos. ... H.I.M. Maria Theresa, Holy Roman Empress, Queen of Hungary and Bohemia, Archduchess of Austria, Duchess of Parma, Piacenza, and Guastalla Maria Theresa, or German Maria Theresia (May 13, 1717 – November 29, 1780) was the first and only female head of the Habsburg dynasty. ... Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II Joseph II (March 13, 1741 – February 20, 1790) was Holy Roman Emperor from 1765 to 1790. ... 1790 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... the Square and Compasses Freemasonry is a worldwide fraternal organisation. ... An almanac (also spelled almanack, especially in Commonwealth English) is an annual publication containing tabular information in a particular field or fields often arranged according to the calendar. ... 1777 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1786 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... 1781 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... See also order of chivalry Woman under the Safeguard of Knighthood, allegorical Scene. ... The epic is a broadly defined genre of poetry, which retells in a continuous narrative the life and works of a heroic or mythological person or group of persons. ... 1787 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1791 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... the Square and Compasses Freemasonry is a worldwide fraternal organisation. ... Anti-clericalism is a historical movement that opposes religious (generally Catholic) institutional power and influence in all aspects of public and political life, and the encroachment of religion in the everyday life of the citizen. ... Franz Seraphicus Grillparzer (January 15, 1791 - January 21, 1872), Austrian dramatic poet, was born in Vienna. ... Romanticism was an artistic and intellectual movement in the history of ideas that originated in late 18th century Western Europe. ...

First half of 19th century

Around 1790 these ideas were firmly rooted and the ancient classic cultures (Greek and Roman) were the inspiration for poets, artists, architects and writers. Harmony and Beauty were some of the ideals of that time. There was a lot of philosophical and aesthetic writing which accumulated in the Romantic era around 1820 (mostly writers from the nobility). With the Napoleonic Wars going on, a lot of people wanted literature which took them away in a fantasy world. A lot of religious writing was also providing people with new hope. Klemens Maria Hofbauer, Eduard von Bauernfeld and Franz Grillparzer are but three of the writers influenced by these events. The German writer Karl Wilhelm Friedrich von Schlegel also lived and worked in Vienna around 1809. Romanticism was an artistic and intellectual movement in the history of ideas that originated in late 18th century Western Europe. ... The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars fought during Napoleon Bonapartes rule over France. ... Eduard von Bauernfeld (January 13, 1802 - August 9, 1890), Austrian dramatist, was born at Vienna. ... Franz Seraphicus Grillparzer (January 15, 1791 - January 21, 1872), Austrian dramatic poet, was born in Vienna. ... Karl Wilhelm Friedrich von Schlegel (March 10, 1772 - January 11, 1829), German poet, critic and scholar, was the younger brother of August Wilhelm von Schlegel. ...

Between the years 1815, the end of the Napoleonic Wars, and 1848, the year of the European revolutions the Biedermeier contrasted with the Romantic era which preceded it. Biedermeier can be identified with two trends in early nineteenth-century history. The Battle of New Orleans 1815 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars fought during Napoleon Bonapartes rule over France. ... 1848 is a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The European Revolutions of 1848, in some countries known as the Spring of Nations or the Year of Revolution, were a series of revolutions triggered by the Revolution of 1848 in France, which erupted in February 1848 in Paris and soon spread to the rest of Europe. ... Biedermeier architecture Biedermeier refers to work in the fields of literature, music, the visual arts and interior design in the period between the years 1815, the end of the Napoleonic Wars, and 1848, the year of the European revolutions and contrasts with the Romantic era which preceded it. ... Romanticism was an artistic and intellectual movement in the history of ideas that originated in late 18th century Western Europe. ...

The first trend is growing urbanisation and industrialisation leading to a new urban middle class. The early Lieder of Schubert, which were performable at the piano without substantial musical training, serve as examples. Further, Biedermeier writers were mainly middle-class, as opposed to the Romantics, who were mainly drawn from the nobility. The second trend is the growing political oppression following the end of the Napoleonic Wars prompting people to concentrate on the domestic and the non-political. Lied (plural Lieder) is a German word, literally meaning song; among English speakers, however, it is used primarily as a term for European classical music songs, also known as art songs. Typically, Lieder are arranged for a single singer and piano. ...

Biedermeier

Biedermeier refers to work in the fields of literature, music, the visual arts and interior design in the period between the years 1815 (Vienna Congress), the end of the Napoleonic Wars, and 1848, the year of the European revolutions and contrasts with the Romantic era which preceded it. The Battle of New Orleans 1815 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars fought during Napoleon Bonapartes rule over France. ... 1848 is a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The European Revolutions of 1848, in some countries known as the Spring of Nations or the Year of Revolution, were a series of revolutions triggered by the Revolution of 1848 in France, which erupted in February 1848 in Paris and soon spread to the rest of Europe. ... Romanticism was an artistic and intellectual movement in the history of ideas that originated in late 18th century Western Europe. ...

Biedermeier can be identified with two trends in early nineteenth-century German history.

The first trend is growing urbanization and industrialization leading to a new urban middle class. The early Lieder of Schubert, which were performable at the piano without substantial musical training, serve as examples. Further, Biedermeier writers were mainly middle-class, as opposed to the Romantics, who were mainly drawn from the nobility. Lied (plural Lieder) is a German word, literally meaning song; among English speakers, however, it is used primarily as a term for European classical music songs, also known as art songs. Typically, Lieder are arranged for a single singer and piano. ...

The second trend is the growing political oppression following the end of the Napoleonic Wars prompting people to concentrate on the domestic and (at least in public) the non-political. The strict publication rules and the censorship had the consequence, that the main topics written about were unpolitical, eg Historical Fiction or Books about the quiet life in the countryside. This does not mean that there was not a lot of political discussion going on, but it happened at home and in the presence of close friends. This explosive situation finally lead to the revolutions in Europe in the year 1848. Censorship is the control of speech and other forms of human expression, often in the context of government control. ... 1848 is a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Poets of that time in Austria-Hungary were Nikolaus Lenau (1802-1850) or the poems of Adalbert Stifter und Franz Grillparzer. Nikolaus Lenau was the nom de plume of Nikolaus Franz Niembsch von Strehlenau (August 25, 1802 - August 22, 1850), and Austrian poet. ... Adalbert Stifter (23 October 1805 _ 28 January 1868) was an Austrian writer, poet, painter, and German-speaking world, while almost entirely unknown to English readers. ... Franz Seraphicus Grillparzer (January 15, 1791 - January 21, 1872), Austrian dramatic poet, was born in Vienna. ...

Writers of that time were Annette von Droste-Hülshoff (1797-1848) ("Die Judenbuche"), who wrote some of their works at the lake "Bodensee" in the three country triangle Austria, Switzerland and Germany or Adalbert Stifter (1805-1868) in Austria. Annette von Droste-Hülshoff on the Twenty Deutsche Mark banknote House of Annette von Droste-Hülshoff in Meersburg (Germany). ... Adalbert Stifter (23 October 1805 _ 28 January 1868) was an Austrian writer, poet, painter, and German-speaking world, while almost entirely unknown to English readers. ...

Play-writers at that time were Franz Grillparzer (1791-1872), Johann Nepomuk Nestroy (1801-1862) and Ferdinand Raimund (1790-1836). Grillparzer wrote tragedies in the tradition of the "Weimarer Klassik", Nestroy and Raimund were representatives for the "Wiener Volksstück" mainly played at the vienese theater "Wiener Volkstheater". Franz Seraphicus Grillparzer (January 15, 1791 - January 21, 1872), Austrian dramatic poet, was born in Vienna. ... Johann Nepomuk Eduard Ambrosius Nestroy (born December 7, 1801 at Vienna, Austria; died May 25, 1862 at Graz, Austria) was an opera singer, actor and, primarily, a playwright. ... Ferdinand Raimund (born June 1, 1790, died September 5, 1836) was an Austrian actor and dramatist. ... Wien can refer to: The German name for the city of Vienna, the capital of Austria. ...

The end of biedermeier is marked by the writings of Adalbert Stifter. His first work Nachsommer was published in 1857, but was still believed to be on of the finest works of biedermeier. Stifter not only influenced Rosegger or Ganghofer, Heyse, Freytag and Wildenbruch, but also later writers (the time of "Bürgerlichen Realismus") like Storm, Fontane and through them Thomas Mann and Hesse. Adalbert Stifter (23 October 1805 _ 28 January 1868) was an Austrian writer, poet, painter, and German-speaking world, while almost entirely unknown to English readers. ... 1857 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Peter Rosegger (31 July 1843 - 26 June 1918) was an Austrian poet from the province of Styria. ... Ludwig Ganghofer (July 7, 1855 - July 24, 1920) was a German writer who became famous for his homeland novels. ... Paul Johann Ludwig von Heyse (March 15, 1830 - April 2, 1914) was a German author. ... Gustav Freytag (July 13, 1816 - April 3, 1895) was a German dramatist and novelist. ... Theodor Storm (1886) Theodor Woldsen Storm (September 14, 1817 in Husum, Germany - July 4, 1888 in Hademarschen, Germany) studied and practiced law in northern Germany. ... Theodor Fontane (December 30, 1819, Neuruppin - September 20, 1898, Berlin) was a German novelist and poet. ... Thomas Mann Paul Thomas Mann (June 6, 1875 – August 12, 1955) was a German novelist, social critic, philanthropist and essayist, lauded principally for a series of highly symbolic and often ironic epic novels and mid-length stories, noted for their insight into the psychology of the artist and intellectual and... Hermann Hesse Hermann Hesse (July 2, 1877 – August 9, 1962) was a German author, and the winner of the 1946 Nobel Prize in Literature. ...

See also

• List of Austrian writers

This is a list of Austrian writers and poets. ...

External links

• eLibrary Austria Project (eLib Austria etxt in German)
• WikiReader Austrian Literature (German)