E.T.A. Hoffmann

E. T. A. Hoffmann (1776–1822), born in Königsberg and deceased in Berlin, was a German writer of the Romantic period. After studying law, he worked as a jurist and later as a composer, conductor, music critic, draughtsman and theatre painter. From 1808 to 1813 he worked in music and theatre in Bamberg; from 1814 onward, he again served as a Prussian civil servant in Berlin. His literary work was produced over a period of about thirteen years and combined realistic depictions of everyday life with fantastic and uncanny elements. His best-known works include “The Sandman,” “Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” and “The Life and Opinions of the Tomcat Murr.” Alongside literature, music remained a central interest throughout his career.