A German playwright, Büchner was born in Goddelau. While he was studying Medicine he was forced to go into exile in Switzerland due to his radical political activities. There, while he taught Anatomy, he began writing his biting and pessimistic works. He died of typhus at the early age of 24 years.

His most important legacy are three writings that would influence the later development of German theater: Danton's Death (1835), Woyzeck (1836), which was left unfinished at the time of his death and the satirical comedy Leonce and Lena (1835).

Despite the fact that these works were never played out during the author's lifetime, they had a strong influence on German theater that followed, anticipating naturalist drama - with his concern for the poor and the oppressed; and expressionism, which would go on to reflect the disillusion of artists and intellectuals after World War I.