1875-1955. German novelist and critic,
concerned with the theme of the artist's
relation to society. His first novel was
Buddenbrooks 1901, which, followed by Der
Zauberberg/The Magic Mountain 1924, led to a
Nobel prize 1929. Later works include Dr
Faustus 1947 and Die Bekenntnisse des
Hochstaplers Felix Krull/Confessions of Felix
Krull 1954. Notable among his works of short
fiction is Der Tod in Venedig/Death in Venice
1913. Mann worked in an insurance office in
Munich and on the staff of the periodical
Simplicissimus. His opposition to the Nazi
regime forced him to leave Germany and in
1940 he became a US citizen. Among his other
works are the biblical tetralogy on the theme
of Joseph and his brothers 1933-44, and a
number of short stories, including `Tonio
Kroger' 1903.