Gottfried Benn (1886-1956) is one of the most significant modern German lyric poets. This introduction to his life and work provides a concise biography, a characterisation of his complete works, and a selected bibliography. For students and those with an interest in literature it opens up an informative first approach to understanding his complex work and gaining access to the vast body of research on Benn. It presents an ideal complement to the Benn Handbook, the Benn Bibliography and the annual Benn Forum, all of which also appear in Walter de Gruyter's literary studies list.