Authors

Swiss · 1819–1890

Gottfried Keller

Gottfried Keller was the greatest Swiss German-language writer of the nineteenth century, whose novel Der grüne Heinrich (Green Henry, 1854-55, revised 1879-80) and story collections Die Leute von Seldwyla (1856, 1874) established the Swiss literary tradition. His novellas — including Romeo und Julia auf dem Dorfe (A Village Romeo and Juliet) — combine precise social observation with poetic warmth in a way that influenced Thomas Mann. He worked as Canton Secretary of Zurich for fifteen years while continuing to write.