Thomas Bernhard
(born 09.04.1931 in Heerlen, Netherlands; died 12.02.1989 in Gmunden, Austria), author
Thomas Bernhard wrote poetry, novels, stories and plays. He is internationally one of the most important Austrian and German-language authors. His tragic childhood and youth is the subject of five autobiographical books. In Austria, his novels and dramas often triggered scandals because they critically examine the Catholic Church and the role of the country during the Nazi era. Thomas Bernhard received numerous awards for his extensive work, including the Georg Büchner Prize (1970) and the Adolf Grimme Prize (1972).