Heinrich Hoffmann, German psychiatrist and writer, 1809-1894

Heinrich Hoffmann was a German psychiatrist, who also wrote some short works including "Der Struwwelpeter", an illustrated book portraying children misbehaving. The book became popular with the public and had to be reprinted regularly; many foreign translations followed. "Struwwelpeter" was not perceived as cruel or overly moral by Hoffmann's contemporaries. The original title, "Funny stories and droll pictures", indicates that entertainment was at least partly the author's intention. After the book's success, Hoffmann felt persuaded to write other children's books, of which only the first, "König Nussknacker und der arme Reinhold", became popular.