(June 6th, 1875 — August 12th, 1955)

Thomas Mann was a German novelist, critic, and essayist. He was also winner of the 1929 Nobel Prize in Literature.

Born into a wealthy aristocratic family in Germany, Mann fled the country when Adolf Hitler rose to power — moving first to Switzerland and then to the United States of America. He later moved back to Switzerland.

Thomas Mann’s books are known for their highly ironic and symbolic content, and the epic nature of his writing. Many of his works, including Doctor Faustus, are considered difficult to read.