Karlheinz Deschner

Karlheinz Deschner was born on May 23, 1924, in Bamberg. He fought in World War II and studied law, theology, philosophy, literature, and history. He resides in Haßfurt, is a member of the PEN Club, and has been working as a freelance writer since 1951. Alongside his role as a journalist for domestic and international magazines, he is the editor of numerous collections and the author of novels, literary treatises, and critical works on the Church. His autobiographical novel "Die Nacht steht um mein Haus" (1956) caused a sensation, culminating in a scandal a year later with the publication of his literary critique "Kitsch, Konvention und Kunst." Since 1958, Deschner has been publishing his revealing historical works that critique religion and the Church. For his enlightening and literary contributions, he was honored with the Arno Schmidt Prize in 1988, the Alternative Büchner Prize in June 1993, and the International Humanist Award in July 1993.