Karl May

Karl May (1842–1912) was a German writer. He came from a poor weaver’s family in Hohenstein-Ernstthal and trained as a schoolteacher, but worked in that profession only briefly. After conflicts with the law and several periods of imprisonment, he began publishing stories and novels. He became best known for adventure and travel narratives set in the American West, the Orient and Mexico. His most famous characters include Winnetou, Old Shatterhand, Kara Ben Nemsi and Hadschi Halef Omar. His later works combined adventure with philosophical and pacifist themes.