Trakl, Georg

Trakl, Georg, b. Salzburg, Feb. 3, 1887, d. Kraków (Poland), Nov. 3, 1914, poet. Grew up in Salzburg, where he attended grammar school between 1897-1905, then studied pharmacology in Vienna from 1908, connections to the "Akademischer Verband für Literatur und Musik", first poetry published in expressionist magazines. 1910 master of pharmacology, from 1912 in Innsbruck, publications in the fortnightly magazine published by L. von Ficker "Der Brenner". Financial support by L. Ficker and his wife, by K. Kraus, A. Loos and especially by L. Wittgenstein. His close relationship to his sister Margarethe compounded his poor state of health, already weakened by excessive drug and alcohol abuse.

At the beginning of World War I T. was drafted as reservist, after the bloody battle at Gródek (Galicia) he tried to commit suicide and died shortly afterwards at the garrison hospital. 1925 L. von Ficker had the body transferred to the Neuer Mühlauer cemetery at Innsbruck.

T.´s poetic works (during his life only the volume "Gedichte" (1913) appeared as a separate publication) is akin to Expressionism in the sensual force of his images and is characterized by a very melancholic disposition ("Alle Straßen münden in schwarze Verwesung" - "all streets lead to black putridity"). It is marked by visions of gloomy colour and a melodiously rhythmical language; the motifs are taken from classical antiquity (Orpheus) and the imagery of Christianity, with the influence of Hölderlin, Novalis, Nietzsche, Baudelaire and Rimbaud clearly detectable.

Publications: Dichtungen und Briefe, annotated edition by W. Killy and H. Szklenar, 2 vols., 1969, 2nd revised edition. 1987; Werke und Briefwechsel, annotated facsimile edition by E. Sauermann and H. Zwerschina, 1993ff.

Literature: O. Basil, G. T. in Selbstzeugnissen und Bilddokumenten, 1965; C. Saas, G. T., 1974; E. Sauermann, Zur Datierung und Interpretation von Texten G. T., 1984; H. Weichselbaum (ed.), T.-Forum 1987, 1988; H. Zwerschina, Die Chronologie der Dichtungen G. T., 1990; A. Doppler, Die Lyrik G. T., 1992; H. Weichselbaum, G. T., 1995; H.-G. Kemper (ed.), Gedichte von G. T., 1999.