Karl Schönherr

Karl Schönherr (24 February 1867 - 15 March 1943) was an Austrian writer of Austrian Heimat themes.

Biography

Schönherr was born in Axams, near Innsbruck (Austria), to Joseph and Marie Suitner Schönherr. He began studying philosophy in Innsbruck, then switched to medicine in Vienna, becoming a doctor in 1896. He worked in a hospital in St. Pölten before opening his own practice in Vienna. He gave up practising after the success of Der Bildschnitzer.

He experienced the poor living conditions of the people around him, especially during World War I, and wrote about these topics. Schönherr's works include protests against the Catholic church. He was also in favor of the Anschluss, but apparently did not share antisemitic tendencies. His wife Malvine (1867-1956) was Jewish.

Death

Schönherr died in Vienna. He is buried on the Zentralfriedhof (Group 14 C, #11).

Film adaptations

Erde, directed by Emmerich Hanus (Austria, 1920, based on the play Erde)

Glaube und Heimat, directed by Emmerich Hanus (Austria, 1921, based on the play Glaube und Heimat)

Thy Name Is Woman, directed by Fred Niblo (1924, based on the play Der Weibsteufel)

The Judas of Tyrol, directed by Franz Osten (Germany, 1933, based on the play Der Judas von Tirol)

Earth, directed by Leopold Hainisch (Switzerland/Austria, 1947, based on the play Erde)

A Devil of a Woman, directed by Wolfgang Liebeneiner (Austria, 1951, based on the play Der Weibsteufel)

Frau Suitner, directed by Gustav Manker, Hermann Lanske (Austria, 1962, TV film, based on the play Frau Suitner)