Franz Werfel
- Born:
- September 10, 1890, Prague, Bohemia, Austria-Hungary
- Died:
- August 26, 1945, Beverly Hills, California, USA
- Nationality:
- Austrian (later American citizen)
- Profession(s):
- Novelist, Playwright, Poet, Screenwriter
Early Life and Education
- Born into a wealthy Jewish family in Prague.
- Educated in Prague and later at the University of Leipzig.
- Initially associated with the Expressionist movement in poetry.
Career and Major Achievements
- Established himself as a prominent writer in the interwar period.
- Fled Austria after the Anschluss in 1938, eventually settling in the United States.
- Known for his historical novels and exploration of religious themes.
Notable Works
- The Forty Days of Musa Dagh (1933), a historical novel about the Armenian genocide.
- The Song of Bernadette (1941), a novel about Saint Bernadette of Lourdes.
- Verdi: Roman der Oper (1924), a biographical novel about Giuseppe Verdi.
- Barbara oder die Frömmigkeit (1929)
- His dramatic works, including his adaptation of Euripides' The Trojan Women (Die Troerinnen), contribute to an understanding of his perspective as detailed in die troerinnen franz werfel biography analyses.
Legacy and Impact
Franz Werfel's works continue to be read and studied for their historical and religious insights. His contributions to literature have solidified his place as a significant figure in 20th-century European writing. He is also remembered for his activism against Nazi persecution.