Paul Zech (1881–1946) stands as one of the most brilliant representatives of German Expressionism. A remarkable poet, novelist, playwright, essayist and translator, he possessed the stubborn character of a «peasant of Westphalian blood», was inclined to hoaxes and found himself in a psychiatric hospital more than once. Zech left a considerable literary heritage, which includes several books on the poet R. M. Rilke. His poems are featured in the anthology «Twilight of Humanity».