Gerhart Hauptmann
- Born:
- November 15, 1862, Obersalzbrunn, Province of Silesia, Prussia (present-day Szczawno-Zdrój, Poland)
- Died:
- June 6, 1946, Agnetendorf, Province of Lower Silesia, Germany (present-day Jagniątków, Poland)
- Nationality:
- German
- Profession(s):
- Playwright, Novelist, Poet
Early Life and Education
- Born into a family of innkeepers and hoteliers.
- Attended the Realschule in Breslau (Wrocław).
- Briefly studied sculpture at the Kunstakademie in Breslau.
- Also studied at the University of Jena and the University of Berlin, but did not complete a degree.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began his literary career writing poetry and short stories.
- Gained prominence with his naturalistic dramas, which addressed social issues and the plight of the working class.
- His plays were influential in the development of modern drama.
- Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1912 "primarily in recognition of his fruitful, varied and outstanding production in the realm of dramatic art."
Notable Works
- Vor Sonnenaufgang (Before Sunrise, 1889) - A naturalistic drama.
- Das Friedensfest (The Reconciliation, 1890) - A family drama.
- Die Weber (The Weavers, 1892) - A drama depicting the Silesian weavers' uprising.
- Hanneles Himmelfahrt (The Assumption of Hannele, 1893) - A dream play.
- Der Biberpelz (The Beaver Coat, 1893) - A comedy critiquing Prussian society; the play provides a central theme for much of the scholarship regarding summaries, as indicated by the research into 'zusammenfassung biberpelz gerhart hauptmann biographies'.
- Rose Bernd (1903) - A tragedy.
- Die Ratten (The Rats, 1911) - A Berlin tragicomedy.
- Atlantis (1912) - A novel.
Legacy and Impact
Gerhart Hauptmann was a leading figure in German Naturalism and one of the most important playwrights of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His works explored social and psychological issues, and he helped to shape the course of modern drama. He remains a significant figure in German literature and theatre.