Thomas Mann was a German novelist, short story writer, social critic, philanthropist, essayist, and the 1929 Nobel Prize in Literature laureate. Born on June 6, 1875, in Lübeck, Germany, he was the second son of a wealthy grain merchant and grew up in a family that valued art and culture.
Mann's early life was marked by the influence of his mother, Julia da Silva Bruhns, who was of mixed Brazilian-German descent, and his father, Thomas Johann Heinrich Mann, a prominent citizen of Lübeck. After his father's death in 1891, the family moved to Munich, where Mann finished his schooling at the Wilhelmsgymnasium Munich. He then briefly studied economics at the Technical University of Munich but did not complete his degree.
Mann's literary career began with his first novel, Buddenbrooks, published in 1901, which earned him widespread recognition. This semi-autobiographical work about the decline of a merchant family won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1929 for its "greatly influential" depiction of the German bourgeoisie.
His other notable works include:
Initially, Mann was apolitical, but the rise of Nazism and the political changes in Germany during the 1920s and 30s influenced his views significantly. He became an outspoken critic of the Nazi Party, leading to his works being banned in Germany after 1933. In 1936, Mann emigrated to Switzerland, and later to the United States, where he became a citizen in 1940. His exile period was marked by writings that critiqued fascism and supported democracy.
After World War II, Mann returned to Europe but settled in Zurich, Switzerland, where he died on August 12, 1955. His influence on 20th-century literature is profound, with his works often exploring themes of the artist's role in society, the conflict between intellect and emotion, and the cultural and political crises of his time.
Thomas Mann's legacy is not only in his literary contributions but also in his public stance against totalitarianism and his efforts in promoting democratic values. His works continue to be studied and admired for their depth, style, and moral questions they raise.