Frank Wedekind

Michael W. Patterson (University of De Montfort)

Ed. by Gerhard P. Knapp, University of Utah
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.4.1: German-language Writing and Culture: Germany, 500-present.
Vol. editors: Gerhard P. Knapp (University of Utah), Jennifer Marston William (Purdue University), Herbert Rowland (Purdue University), Jill E. Twark (East Carolina University)

Dates

Born 24 Jul 1864
Died 9 Mar 1918
Activity 1889-1917

Places

Born in Germany
Active in Germany

Activities

Primary

Playwright / Dramatist
Poet
Story-writer
Theatre actor

Resources

Wedekind was arguably the most innovative German dramatist of his day, a writer who helped change the direction of German theatre through his breaking of taboos and his revolution of traditional aesthetics, thus heralding German Expressionism (q.v.) and preparing the way for Bertolt Brecht (q.v.). Moreover, his challenge to conventional morality and the frank treatment of sexuality in his plays have lent him a lasting notoriety.

Benjamin Franklin Wedekind was born in Hanover on 24 July 1864, the son of Hungarian-born actress Emilie Wedekind (née Kammerer) and of Dr. Friedrich Wilhelm Wedekind,…

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2107 words

Citation: Patterson, Michael W.. "Frank Wedekind". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 27 April 2006 [https://staging.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=5786, accessed 21 November 2024.]

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