Theodor Fontane (Fontane Theodor)

(1819-1898)
Born December 30, 1819 in Neuruppin. Pharmacist Education, . Fontan pharmacist and worked at the same time engaged in literary work - a conservative newspaper published 'Kroytstsaytung' ( 'Kreuzzeitung', . 1860-1870), . was a war correspondent (during the campaigns of the Prussian army in 1864, . 1866 and 1870) and theater critic of the newspaper 'Fossishe Zeitung' ( 'Vossische Zeitung', . 1870-1889),
. Prose Fontane published in periodicals from 1878, . first was the story before the storm (Vor dem Sturm); then followed the novels Greta Mindo (Grete Minde, . 1880), . Sinner (L'Adultera, . 1882) and Shah von Wooten (Schach von Wutenow, . 1883), . and Count Petofi (Graf Petfi, . 1884), . Cecil (Ccile, . 1887), . Brist Effi (Effi Briest, . 1895) and Stechlin (Der Stechlin, . publ,
. posthumously 1899), devoted to problems of marriage in the highest circles of society. Roads and Crossroads (Irrungen, Wirrungen, 1888) tell of love, ruined social inequality. Under the pear tree (Unterm Birnbaum, 1885) - an ordinary worldly history, as Ms. Jenny Traybel (Frau Jenny Treibel, 1892) and Poggenpuly (Die Poggenpuhls, 1896).
Action works Fontane usually occurs in the kingdom of Prussia, mostly in Berlin, the main characters, as a rule, representatives of high society. The ability of the Prussian aristocracy to adapt to modern life - the main theme Fontane, whose works are distinguished lively dialogue, a brilliant epistolary style, humorous scenes of folk life.

Before turning to the genre of the novel, Fontane with great success published travel notes (Wandering by brand Brandenburg - Wanderungen durch die Mark Brandenburg, 1862-1881) and was known as a poet. His collections of ballads about the beautiful Rosamund (Von der schnen Rosamunde, 1850) and the men and heroes (Mnner und Helden, 1850) gained wide popularity. Fontane lived in England, and wrote about it, as well as on the presence of a French prisoner of war in 1870. He was a member of the famous literary alliance 'tunnel through the Spree' ( 'Tunnel ber der Spree'), where he met with P. Hayes, T. Storm, and other writers. His contemporaries regarded him as the founder and master of the German realistic novel. Fontan died in Berlin on Sept. 20, 1898.