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Hans Magnus Enzensberger

ハンス・マグヌス・エンツェンスベルガー

Hans Magnus Enzensberger

Pen Names: Andreas Thalmayr（One of several pseudonyms used for poems and essays）, Elisabeth Ambras（Feminine pseudonym (used for some shorter pieces / alternate-voice works)）, Linda Quilt（Used for some children's works and collaborative pieces）, Giorgio Pellizzi（Pseudonym sometimes used in international/translation contexts）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1929-11-11 （Kaufbeuren, Bavaria, Germany）
Died
2022-11-24 （Munich, Bavaria, Germany） age 93
Nationality
Germany
Languages
German, English, French, Italian, Spanish
Residence History
Nuremberg (early life) → Norway (residence) → Italy (residence) → Mexico (stay) → Cuba (stay) → United States (short-term residence) → West Berlin (residence) → Munich (from 1979 until death)

Career

Occupations
Author, Poet, Translator, Editor, Essayist
Active Years
1950-2022
Affiliations
Editor of the magazine Kursbuch, Editor and series editor at Suhrkamp Verlag, Editor of the book series Die Andere Bibliothek
Memberships
Group 47
Influenced By
Clemens Brentano (subject of his doctoral thesis), Alfred Andersch (contemporary writer and colleague)
Influenced
1968 West German student movement (influenced), W. G. Sebald (one of the writers he promoted), Ryszard Kapuściński and other international reportage writers (promoted/introduction)

Education

University of Erlangen–Nuremberg (Friedrich-Alexander University)
Faculty of Arts (Literature and Philosophy) / Literature and Philosophy
Degree: 博士（Dr. phil.）
Period: 1949–1955
Year of Graduation: 1955
Country: Germany
Doctoral thesis on the poetry of Clemens Brentano
University of Paris (Sorbonne)
Faculty of Arts / Literature / Comparative Literature
Period: 1950年代（在学・研究）
Country: France
Stayed for studies/research
University of Freiburg; University of Hamburg (attended)
Literature / Literature
Period: 1949–1954（断続的）
Country: Germany
Studied at multiple universities prior to doctoral degree at Erlangen

Awards

Georg Büchner Prize
1963
Organization: Deutsche Akademie für Sprache und Dichtung
Result: 受賞
Golden Wreath (Struga Poetry Evenings)
1980
Organization: Struga Poetry Evenings
Result: 受賞
Heinrich-Böll-Preis
1985
Organization: Heinrich Böll Foundation
Result: 受賞
Heinrich Heine Prize
1998
Organization: City of Düsseldorf
Result: 受賞
Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts
1999
Organization: Order Pour le Mérite
Result: 受章
Prince of Asturias Award for Communication and Humanities
2002
Category: Communication and Humanities
Organization: Princess of Asturias Foundation
Result: 受賞
Ludwig Börne Prize
2002
Organization: Ludwig Börne Prize committee
Result: 受賞
Griffin Poetry Prize Lifetime Recognition Award
2009
Category: Lifetime recognition
Organization: Griffin Trust for Excellence in Poetry
Result: 受賞
Sonning Prize
2009
Organization: Sonning Prize committee
Result: 受賞
Honorary degree (Bard College)
2012
Category: Honorary degree
Organization: Bard College
Result: 授与
Frank-Schirrmacher-Preis
2015
Organization: Frank-Schirrmacher-Preis committee
Result: 受賞
Poetry and People International Poetry Prize
2017
Organization: Poetry and People organization
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Verteidigung der Wölfe (Defense of the Wolves)

1957 Poetry

Poetry collection first published in 1957; an early, critical voice of the post-war generation.

political critiquepost-war experienceindividual and society
Translations

Der Zahlenteufel (The Number Devil)

1997 Children's book / Mathematical fiction

A children's book that presents mathematical concepts playfully to reduce fear of mathematics; translated into many languages.

mathematics educationjoy of learningimagination
Translations
  • Published in English as The Number Devil and translated into many languages

Der Untergang der Titanic (The Sinking of the Titanic)

1978 Long poem / Drama

An extended poem later adapted for the stage; an epic meditation including criticism of progress and civilization.

critique of civilizationcautionary views on technology and progressallegorized history
Adaptations
  • [Stage play] Der Untergang der Titanic (stage play) / George Tabori (1980)
Translations

Einzelheiten / The Consciousness Industry

1964 Essay / Cultural criticism

A collection of essays on media, education and culture; introduced the concept often translated as 'consciousness industry'.

media critiqueculture industrypolitics and literature
Translations
  • Published in English as The Consciousness Industry

Bibliography

  • Verteidigung der Wölfe (1957)
  • Landessprache (1960)
  • Einzelheiten (1964)
  • Der Zahlenteufel (1997)
  • Der Untergang der Titanic (1978)
  • Poems, 1950–2005 (2006)

Adaptations

  • Poetry-Machine (Landsberger Poesieautomat) used during the 2006 FIFA World Cup
  • Stage adaptation of Der Untergang der Titanic (dir. George Tabori, 1980)

Translations by Author

  • Translated works by Pablo Neruda (Spanish→German), W. H. Auden, César Vallejo, Adam Zagajewski, Lars Gustafsson

Translations of Works

  • Der Zahlenteufel (The Number Devil) translated into English and many other languages

Style & Themes

Literary Style
sarcastic and ironic tonecritical, polemical essayscolloquial and direct expression in poetry
Recurring Motifs
the consciousness industry (media culture)depictions of bourgeois / middle-class lifeskepticism about technology and progressinterest in mathematics

Legacy

One of the leading intellectuals of post-war German letters. Through poetry, essays, translation and editing he exerted international influence, shaped media critique and had an impact on civic movements. Recipient of many awards; works translated into more than 40 languages.

Academic Societies

  • Deutsche Akademie für Sprache und Dichtung

Archives

  • Papers held at the German Literature Archive (DLA Marbach)

In Popular Culture

  • Use of the poetry-generating 'Poesieautomat' during the 2006 FIFA World Cup
  • Writings on Europe and media criticism influenced public debate

Quotes

  • I have always been incapable of being a good comrade. I can't stay in line. It's not in my character.
    Source: Interview / profile (quoted in sources such as The Guardian) (2010)

Trivia

  • Published under several pseudonyms
  • Often wrote poems and letters in lowercase
  • Had a strong interest in mathematics; wrote The Number Devil