Büchner, Georg (1813–1837)

German dramatist. His characters were often individuals pitted against the forces of society. Büchner's plays include Danton's Death 1835, which chronicles the power struggle between Danton and Robespierre during the French Revolution; and Woyzeck 1836, unfinished at his death, which depicts the despair of a common soldier, crushed by his social superiors. Büchner's third play is the comedy Leonce and Lena 1836.

His plays remained unperformed until well after his death, but have been repeatedly produced in the 20th century. Woyzeck provided the basis for the opera Wozzeck by the Austrian composer Alban Berg.