Carl Friedrich Georg Spitteler (1845-1924)

Awarded the Prize “in special appreciation of his epic, Olympian Spring.”

Swiss poet, novelist and playwright. Spitteler was born on April 24, 1845 in the little town of Liestal, Baselland, Switzerland. He took up the study of law at the University of Zurich in 1863. During 1865-70, he studied theology in Zurich, Heidelberg and Basle. Later he went to Petersburg to be the tutor of a General’s children. He was compelled to teach school and work for newspapers. After 1892, he moved to Lucerne and engaged himself in writing. Spitteler died there on December 8, 1924.
Major Works:
Extramundana (1883); Friedli der Kolderi (1891); Litterarische Gleichnisse (1892); Lachende Wahrheiten (1898); Imago (1908); Prometheus der Dulder (1924)