Dürrenmatt, Friedrich (1921–1990)

Swiss dramatist. He wrote grotesque and ironical tragicomedies, for example Der Besuch einer alten Dame/The Visit (1956) and Die Physiker/The Physicists (1962). His fascination with the absurd and with black humour can also be seen in his novels, such as Das Versprechen/The Pledge (1958).

His work reveals a preoccupation with contemporary spiritual bankruptcy reminiscent of the Danish philosopher Kierkegaard and the Czech writer Kafka. It combines artistic influences ranging from Bertolt Brecht's epic theatre to expressionist painting and Aristophanic comedy into an often paradoxical style.

Dürrenmatt was born in Konolfingen, Bern; he studied art before turning to writing. Among his plays are Romulus der Grosse/Romulus the Great 1949, Die Ehe des Herrn Mississippi/The Marriage of Mr Mississippi 1952, and Ein Engel kommt nach Babylon/An Angel Comes to Babylon 1953. He also wrote detective stories, such as Der Richter und sein Henker/The Judge and His Executioner 1952.