Keller, Gottfried (1819–1890)

Swiss poet and novelist. His books include the autobiographical novel Der grüne Heinrich/Green Henry 1854–55. He was particularly skilful in his handling of the short story, and his sketches of Swiss provincial life, Die Leute von Seldwyla/The People of Seldwyla 1856–74, have become classics.

Keller was born in Zürich. He lived in Berlin 1850–55, and acted as secretary to his native canton 1861–76.

His volume of poetry Gedichte/Poems 1846 emphasizes Keller's high creative faculty, while the writing in Der grüne Heinrich reveals an imaginative temperament readily responsive to beauty and noble emotion. Included in Die Leute von Seldwyla are ‘Die drei gerechten Kammacher’ and ‘Romeo und Julia auf dem Dorfe/A Village Romeo and Juliet’, the first showing the richness of his humour, while the tragic intensity of the latter leaves a lasting impression. A second collection, Züricher Novellen, appeared 1878, containing ‘Landvogt von Greifensee’.