Literature · Film · 1862–1946
Born: 15 November 1862 · Died: 6 June 1946 · Age: 83
German dramatist of The Weavers, a pioneer of naturalist theatre, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1912
Did you know?Despite his international literary success, he initially failed as a sculptor and painter before turning his focus to writing.
Gerhart Hauptmann was the leading German playwright of his age. He brought naturalism to the stage, showing ordinary people trapped by poverty, drink and heredity. His play The Weavers dramatised the Silesian weavers' revolt of 1844. Its crowd of starving workers shocked the authorities, and it was briefly banned. He also wrote comedies, fairy-tale dramas, novels and poetry. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1912. His decision to remain in Germany under the Nazis later damaged his standing.
Gerhart Johann Robert Hauptmann (German:; 15 November 1862 – 6 June 1946) was a German dramatist and novelist. He is counted among the most important promoters of literary naturalism, though he integrated other styles into his work as well.
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Profile
German playwright, 1862–1946
Gerhart Hauptmann was born in Obersalzbrunn on 15 November 1862.
Before Sunrise (1889) made his name.
The Weavers appeared in 1892.
He received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1912.
Career highlights
Did you know?He trained as a sculptor before turning to writing.
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