17 Facts About Peter Altenberg

Peter Altenberg was a writer and poet from Vienna, Austria.

Peter Altenberg played a key role in the genesis of early modernism in the city.

Peter Altenberg was born Richard Englander on 9 March 1859 in Vienna into a Jewish family.

Peter Altenberg cultivated a feminine appearance and feminine handwriting, wore a cape, sandals and a broad-brimmed hat, and despised 'macho' masculinity.

Peter Altenberg was a master of short, aphoristic stories based on close observation of everyday life events.

At the fin de siecle, when Vienna was a major crucible and center for modern arts and culture, Peter Altenberg was a very influential part of a literary and artistic movement known as Jung-Wien.

Peter Altenberg was a contemporary of Karl Kraus, Gustav Mahler, Arthur Schnitzler, Gustav Klimt, and Adolf Loos, with whom he had a very close relationship.

Peter Altenberg was somewhat older, in his early 30s, than the others.

Peter Altenberg became well known throughout Vienna after the publication of a book of his fragmentary observations of women and children in everyday street activities.

Peter Altenberg's detractors said he was a drug addict and a womanizer.

Peter Altenberg was rumored to have problems with alcoholism and mental illness.

Peter Altenberg is certainly known to have had a large collection of photographs and drawings of young girls, and those who knew him well wrote of his adoration of young girls.

Peter Altenberg was never a commercially successful writer, but he did enjoy most if not all of the benefits of fame in his lifetime.

Peter Altenberg was at one point nominated for the Nobel Prize.

In 1913, Berg's Five songs on picture postcard texts by Peter Altenberg were premiered in Vienna.

Peter Altenberg repaid his debts with his talent, his wit, and his charm.

Peter Altenberg is buried at Central Cemetery in Vienna, Austria.