Franz Kafka

Franz Kafka was born on July 3rd, 1883 in Prague, Bohemia (now the Czech Republic) to a Jewish family. He was the oldest of six children. His two little brothers died in infancy and his three little sisters all died in concentration camps. His father, a businessman and retailer of "fancy goods and accessories" (kafka-online.info), was said to be ill-tempered and directed much of his anger towards Kafka. Kafka's mother helped his father turn form poverty into prosperity. His home was shaped with tragedy, and he derived much of his value from his father.


After successfully completing high school, Kafka enrolled at the Charles Ferdinand University of Prague. He intended to study chemistry, but switched over to law to his father's delight. This also gave him valuable time to take classes in art and literature. He completed his law degree in 1906 and took a one year unpaid apprenticeship as a law clerk. He worked hard at later jobs, but health problems forced him to retire in 1922. At work he was a rather approachable guy, but his personal family issues plagued his future relationships. After being engaged twice to Felice Bauer, he fell in love with Dora Diamant, who was also Jewish and shared a preference for socialism like he did.


Kafka only published a tiny bit of his work during his lifetime. He was full of self-doubt and therefore very reluctant to show the world his work. His friend Max Brod went against his wishes after his death and published his books. His work greatly influenced German literature and gained favor especially around World War II. His appeal and value as a writer was converted into a number when his manuscript of The Trial was auctioned off for just under 2 million dollars (the highest price ever paid for a modern manuscript). He even introduced a new term into the English lexicon. His work turned out to be far more successful than he could ever have imagined, as he had instructed Brod to burn the things, unread.


Kafka suffered from clinical depression and social anxiety throughout his whole life, as well as migraines, insomnia, constipation, boils. This is said to have been brought on by excessive strains and stresses. He tried treating his problems, but when his tuberculosis worsened he returned to Prague, and then a sanatarium by Vienna for treatment. He died on June 3rd, 1924, and was interred a few days later in the New Jewish Cemetery in Prague.

Works Cited

"Franz Kafka - Biography." Franz Kafka. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2014.

"Franz Kafka Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2014.

"Franz Kafka Biography." A Short Biography of Franz Kafka. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2014.

"Kafka's Life (1883-1924)." The Kafka Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2014.