Georg Trakl

Austrian poet (1887-1914)

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Lived 1887–1914, aged 27Austria

Austria WritersWriter / Author

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Era
1887–1914
Aged 27

Summary

Updated 2026-06-09

Georg Trakl wrote poems so dark and fractured they became touchstones of Austrian Expressionism — then died of a cocaine overdose at 27, leaving "Grodek" as his parting shot.

Biography

About

Born 3 February 1887, Trakl was the brother of pianist Grete Trakl and grew into one of Austria's most important Expressionist voices. His verse carried a splintered, haunted quality that set him apart in the German-language canon. Shortly before his death he wrote "Grodek", the poem that would become his best-known work. He died 3 November 1914 of a cocaine overdose, twenty-seven years old.

Voice

In their own words

Sourced, dated quotes from Georg Trakl

Georg Trakl

said1913

The black snow that runs from the rooftops

— * "Towards Evening My Heart," Poems (1913)

Georg Trakl

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The murderer smiles palely in wine, Death's horror grips the sick. Excoriated and naked, the nun praysBefore the Savior's agony on the cross. The mother sings quietly in sleep.

— "Romance in the Night"

Georg Trakl

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