author
Eugen Roth
1895–1976
Known for warm, witty poems about everyday human behavior, this Munich-born writer became one of the most widely read German-language humorists of the 20th century. His best-loved verse blends gentle satire with sympathy for ordinary people.
1 Audiobook
Die Dinge, die unendlich uns umkreisen
by Eugen Roth
About the author
Eugen Roth was a German poet and popular author, born in Munich on January 24, 1895, and he remained closely tied to the city throughout his life. He was the son of the writer Hermann Roth, served as a volunteer in the First World War, and was seriously wounded early in the conflict. After the war, he studied history, art history, and philosophy, earning a doctorate in 1922.
He first worked in journalism and later became known above all for humorous and reflective verse. His "Ein Mensch" poems, with their sharp eye for everyday weakness and kindness, made him one of the most widely read lyric poets in the German-speaking world. Sources found during this search also describe him as a major popular voice in 20th-century German literature, with millions of books sold.
Roth died in Munich on April 28, 1976. While no suitable verified portrait image could be confirmed from the pages reviewed here, his reputation as a master of light, thoughtful humor has clearly lasted well beyond his lifetime.