Georg Trakl

Date of Birth: February 3, 1887

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: November 3, 1914

Biography

Georg Trakl was an Austrian poet known for his profound and often darkly beautiful verses that explored themes of despair, decay, and the human condition. Born on February 3, 1887, in Salzburg, Austria, Trakl grew up in a middle-class family. His father, Tobias Trakl, was a successful hardware dealer, and his mother, Maria Catharina Halik, was a housewife with a fragile mental state, which greatly influenced Georg’s later works. Trakl attended the Staatsgymnasium in Salzburg, where he developed an interest in literature and began writing poetry. He later moved to Vienna to study pharmacy, which he did not complete. Instead, he became more immersed in the bohemian and literary circles of the city. His experiences during this time, combined with his lifelong struggles with mental health and addiction, deeply influenced his work. Trakl’s poetry is often associated with the Expressionist movement, and his most notable works include “Sebastian im Traum” (Sebastian in the Dream) and “De Profundis.” His writing is characterized by haunting imagery, a sense of foreboding, and a preoccupation with death and decay. During World War I, Trakl served as a medical officer, an experience that exacerbated his mental health issues. He witnessed the horrors of war firsthand, which left him deeply traumatized. After a particularly harrowing experience during the Battle of Grodek, Trakl was admitted to a military hospital in Krakow for psychiatric treatment. He died there on November 3, 1914, from an overdose of cocaine, likely a suicide.

5 Interesting Facts about Georg Trakl

1. Georg Trakl was the fourth of seven children in his family.

2. He had a close, possibly incestuous relationship with his sister, Margarethe, which significantly impacted his poetry.

3. Trakl’s work was heavily influenced by Symbolism and the works of Charles Baudelaire and Arthur Rimbaud.

4. He struggled with addiction throughout his life, particularly to drugs like cocaine and opiates.

5. Despite his troubled life, Trakl’s work has had a lasting impact on German literature and is considered a cornerstone of Austrian literary heritage.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Georg Trakl

1. “The heart of the world is filled with silence.”

2. “The night is my future.”

3. “Loneliness is like the rain. It rises from the sea toward evening.”

4. “In the evening the autumn wood resounds with the song of the dead.”

5. “The soul is a stranger on earth.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Georg Trakl did not achieve significant wealth during his lifetime. His net worth was modest, as he struggled financially and was more focused on his art than material success.