Thomas Mann

Born in Lübeck on June 6, 1875, Thomas Mann grew up in a prosperous merchant family and went on to become one of Germany’s most influential novelists and essayists. His major works include Buddenbrooks, which first brought him wide recognition, as well as Death in Venice and The Magic Mountain, books celebrated for their depth, irony, and close attention to the inner lives of artists, families, and intellectuals.

Mann received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1929. Over time he also became an important public voice, writing and speaking about the political crises of his age as Europe moved through war, upheaval, and dictatorship.

When the Nazis came to power, he left Germany and lived in exile, later spending years in the United States before settling in Switzerland. He died on August 12, 1955, leaving behind a body of work that still feels both intellectually ambitious and deeply human.