# Rainer Rilke

## Biography

Rainer Maria Rilke, born René Karl Wilhelm Johann Josef Maria Rilke in Prague on December 4, 1875, became one of the most significant German-language poets. His childhood included an unhappy period in military school, which he eventually left to pursue literary studies at universities in Prague and Munich. His early travels, particularly to Russia, were profoundly influential, leading to significant early works. Rilke lived an itinerant life across Europe, spending formative years in Paris where he served as secretary to Auguste Rodin, an experience that shaped his artistic sensibilities. It was during this period that he developed his unique lyrical style, exploring profound themes of art, existence, and spirituality. His major works include The Book of Hours, New Poems, the semi-autobiographical novel The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge, and his enduring masterpieces, the Duino Elegies and Sonnets to Orpheus, both completed in Switzerland during his later years. Rilke died of leukemia in Valmont, Switzerland, on December 29, 1926, leaving behind a legacy of deeply resonant and introspective poetry that continues to captivate readers worldwide.

## Books

- [Poems](https://samolit.com/books/96575)