Friedell, Egon eigentlich E. Friedmann#
b. Vienna, Jan. 21, 1878, d. Vienna, March 16, 1938 (committed suicide because he feared arrest by the Sturmabteilung, the SA), cultural historian, author, feuilletonist, critic, actor. A friend of P. Altenberg and A. Polgar. From 1908-1910 the head of the cabaret "Die Fledermaus", and played under M. Reinhardt's direction in Berlin and Vienna from 1913. Wrote numerous sketches, scenes and parodies, most of them together with Polgar. His "Kulturgeschichte der Neuzeit" (3 vols., 1927-1931) and "Kulturgeschichte des Altertums" (2 vols., 1936 and 1949) are his most important and most influential works.
Further works#
Goethe. Eine Szene, 1908; Ecce Poeta, 1912 (essay); Die Reise mit der Zeitmaschine, 1946; Das Altertum war nicht antik, 1950; Kleine Portraetgalerie, 1953; Abschaffung des Genies, 1982 (ed. by H. Illig); Selbstanzeige, 1983 (ed. by H. Illig); Goethe und die Journalisten, 1987 (ed. by H. Illig); Ist die Erde bewohnt?, 1991.Literature#
H. Illig, Schriftspieler - Schausteller, 1987; R. Innerhofer, Kulturgeschichte zw. den beiden Weltkriegen. E. F., 1990; W. Lorenz, E. F., 1994.