Franz Kafka was one of the most prominent authors writing in German during the 20th century. Born in Prague in 1883, Kafka belonged to the intellectual milieu of those Jews in Prague who identified themselves with German culture and language. Together with Max Brod, Felix Weltsch and Oskar Baum, Kafka was part of the "Close Prague Circle", a group of Jewish authors who met regularly and collaborated in their literary work.

Making his living as an insurance officer, Kafka had low esteem for his own writings. It was only after his death that his works were published - due to the efforts of his good friend Max Brod - and earned him a special place in the "Hall of Fame" of classic modern German literature.