Annette Kolb
Annette Kolb was a German author born in 1870 in Munich, known for her pacifist beliefs and significant contributions to literature. She began her writing career early, publishing her first collection of essays, *Kurze Aufsätze*, in 1899, followed by her first novel, *Das Exemplar*, in 1913. Kolb's outspoken views during World War I led her to leave Germany around 1915, moving to Switzerland to escape governmental backlash. In the early 1920s, she established herself as a writer in the literary circles of Europe, befriending prominent figures such as Rainer Maria Rilke. In 1933, she relocated to Paris, where she focused on writing biographies, including those of composers Mozart and Schubert. Her journey continued as she emigrated to New York in 1941, where she continued her literary pursuits until 1945. Kolb's memoir, *Memento*, published in 1960, reflects on her life's experiences, including her emigration. She passed away in 1967, leaving behind a legacy as a thoughtful and engaged writer.
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Annette Kolb
Author
- Born: February 2, 1875
- Birthplace: Munich, Germany
- Died: December 3, 1967
Biography
Annette Kolb was born in 1870 in Munich, Germany, the daughter of a gardener. As a child, Kolb attended a monastery school located in Tirol. While studying there, she took an interest in literature and published her first book, Kurze Aufsätze, a collection of essays, in 1899. She continued to write and published her first novel, Das Exemplar, in 1913.
During World War I, Kolb’s very public opinions and belief in pacifism did not sit well with the German government. Sometime around 1915, she left Germany and relocated to Switzerland. In the early 1920’s, Kolb worked hard to establish herself as an author and became friends with the writer Rainer Maria Rilke.
She moved to Paris in 1933, increasing her political and social distance from her native Germany. While living in Paris, Kolb worked on a few biographies, including books about the lives of composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Franz Schubert. She left Paris in 1941 and moved to New York, where she continued to write and remained until 1945. Kolb recounted the events of her life, including her emigration from Germany, in her memoir, Memento (1960). She died in 1967.