Rilke, Rainer Maria: - Ren Karl Wilhelm Johann Josef Maria Rilke, known as Rainer Maria Rilke, was an Austrian poet and novelist, widely regarded as one of the most significant writers in the German language. Born on December 4, 1875, in Prague, Czechia, Rilke became acclaimed for his idiosyncratic and expressive poetry, which explored deep existential and spiritual themes. Influenced by figures such as Lou Andreas-Salom and Friedrich Nietzsche, his work delves into the complexities of the human soul, grappling with subjects like love, death, and identity. Rilke married Clara Westhoff in 1901, and they had a daughter, Ruth Rilke. His work spans various genres, including lyric poetry, philosophical musings, and reflections on art. Rilke's most well-known works include "The Duino Elegies" and "The Sonnets to Orpheus," which reflect his intense personal and existential inquiries. Rainer Maria Rilke died on December 29, 1926, at the age of 51, in Montreux, Switzerland, leaving behind a legacy of deeply introspective and evocative poetry that continues to influence writers and thinkers to this day.