author
George Sylvester Viereck
1884–1962
A once-famous poet and journalist, he built an early literary reputation before his career took a darker, deeply controversial turn. His life sits at the uneasy crossroads of American letters, politics, and propaganda.
2 Audiobooks
The House of the Vampire
by George Sylvester Viereck
The three sphinxes, and other poems
by George Sylvester Viereck
About the author
Born in Munich on December 31, 1884, and brought to the United States as a boy, George Sylvester Viereck grew into a prominent literary figure in the early 20th century. He published poetry, novels, and journalism, and became known for his ambition, flair, and ability to attract attention in both literary and public life.
His reputation, though, is inseparable from politics. Viereck became a vocal advocate for German interests in the United States during World War I, and later was widely condemned for propaganda work tied to Nazi Germany during World War II. That political activity eventually led to his conviction for violating U.S. law.
He died in Holyoke, Massachusetts, on March 18, 1962. Today, he is remembered less for his early literary success than for the controversy that overtook his public life, making him a striking and troubling figure in American cultural history.