Franz Kafka was a German-language writer born in Prague, Czech Republic in 1883. He is widely considered one of the most important figures in modern literature, and his works, including "The Metamorphosis," "The Trial," and "The Castle," are known for their surrealism and exploration of alienation, bureaucracy, and existentialism. Kafka suffered from poor health throughout his life and died at the age of 40 from tuberculosis. Despite his relatively short career, his legacy continues to influence writers and thinkers around the world.