About the Author

Born in July 1883, in the city of Prague, Franz Kafka was raised by his parents as the only son. Being the eldest of six children, two of his brothers died in their infancy when Kafka was six years old, while his three sisters were all murdered during the Holocaust. Growing up, his relationship with his parents was a difficult one as they both failed to realize Kafka’s dreams of being a successful writer.

Although Kafka had a Czech background with Jewish roots, he spoke fluent German and also favored their culture. Kafka attended the Altstadt Gymnasium, a high school considered to be for the smart and elite, and proceeded to enroll at the Charles Ferdinand University of Prague where he studied law. He completed his degree in 1906 and proceeded to work pro bono as a law clerk. In 1907, Kafka was employed at an Italian insurance agency, but handed in his resignation within the same year. He was quickly employed at the Workers’ Insurance Institute for the Bohemia Kingdom.

Kafka’s personal life was complicated due to his insecurities and inhibitions. He was engaged to marry his then-girlfriend, Felice Bauer, twice. But the two ultimately separated in 1917. He later dated Dora Dymant and fell in love with her, which ultimately led to the couple residing together in Berlin. During their relationship, Kafka had health problems including tuberculosis, depression, migraines, boils and insomnia — all of which left him stressed and exhausted. As the two traveled back to Prague to overcome his health problems, he visited a sanatorium in Vienna for treatment. On 3 June, 1924, he succumbed to illnesses in the city of Kierling, Austria, but his body was brought back to Prague for burial. His celebrity status as a writer came after he died, with his book, The Metamorphosis, being the most popular among his published works.