Hermann Hesse

Hermann Hesse (1877-1962) was a German-born writer who was educated in Switzerland and maintained close ties to that country. His family wealth supported him until he made his career as a writer. He served wounded soldiers for the German Army during World War I, but drew criticism for his urging of his compatriots not to give in to hatred and nationalism. His novels influenced by Eastern spiritualism (particularly Siddhartha) gained an international audience after his death. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1946.