Ernst Toller

Date of Birth: December 1, 1893

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: May 22, 1939

Biography

Ernst Toller was a German playwright, poet, and political activist, renowned for his expressionist plays and his involvement in the anti-war movement during World War I. Born on December 1, 1893, in Samotschin, Province of Posen, Germany (now Szamocin, Poland), Toller came from a well-off Jewish family. He attended the universities of Grenoble and Heidelberg, where he initially studied law but shifted his focus to literature and philosophy. Toller’s life took a dramatic turn during World War I when he enlisted in the German Army. His experiences in the trenches profoundly influenced his worldview, leading him to become an outspoken pacifist. After the war, Toller became involved in the revolutionary socialist movement in Germany and played a significant role in the Bavarian Soviet Republic of 1919. His political activities led to his imprisonment for five years, during which he wrote several of his most famous plays, including “Man and the Masses,” “Hinkemann,” and “The Machine Wreckers.” After his release, Toller continued his literary career and became an influential figure in the international theater community. However, the rise of the Nazi regime in 1933 forced him into exile. He moved to the United States, where he continued to write and speak against fascism. Tragically, Toller struggled with depression and hopelessness about the global political situation, leading to his suicide on May 22, 1939, in New York City.

5 Interesting Facts about Ernst Toller

1. Ernst Toller was a key figure in the Bavarian Soviet Republic of 1919, which was a short-lived socialist state.

2. He wrote several of his most famous plays while imprisoned, showcasing his enduring creativity even in confinement.

3. Toller was forced into exile by the Nazi regime and lived in several countries before settling in the United States.

4. His works are characterized by their expressionist style and often focus on themes of social justice, human suffering, and political activism.

5. Toller was friends with several prominent intellectuals and artists of his time, including Albert Einstein and Thomas Mann.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Ernst Toller

1. “Man is man because he is free.”

2. “We live in a time of revolutions, and revolutions do not necessarily mean progress.”

3. “The struggle for freedom is the next to eternal.”

4. “He who fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby become a monster.”

5. “Poetry is the lifeblood of rebellion, revolution, and the raising of consciousness.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Ernst Toller did not achieve significant financial wealth; his highest net worth was modest, primarily derived from his writing and speaking engagements.