Rainer Maria Rilke, a renowned literary figure, was born on December 4, 1878, in Prague, Czech Republic, to a military officer who worked with railroads. Following his education at a military Upper School, Rilke endeavored to evade military service by preparing for his final exams in private.
He then pursued higher education at a university, focusing on literature and art. Rilke's travels to Russia had a profound impact on his life and work. In 1900, he settled in Worpswede, a German village renowned for its thriving artistic community, where he married Clara Westhoff, a painter. Unfortunately, their marriage was short-lived, ending in divorce in 1902.
Throughout his life, Rilke embarked on numerous journeys, visiting Spain, North Africa, Egypt, and France. His travels not only broadened his cultural horizons but also influenced his literary output. After World War I, Rilke found a patron in Werner Reinhart, who owned a castle in Switzerland, which he was allowed to occupy.
Tragically, Rilke's life was cut short on December 29, 1926, when he passed away at a sanatorium in Valmont due to leukemia. Despite his untimely death, Rilke left an indelible mark on German literature. His notable works, including the novel "Malte Laurids Brigge" and numerous celebrated poems, are exemplary of the "Jugendstil" literary epoch, characterized by authors' introspective and emotive writing styles.
