Carl Zuckmayer was a German playwright, novelist, and essayist born on December 27, 1896, in Mannheim, Germany. He is best known for his works that often reflect the social and political issues of his time, particularly during the rise of the Nazi regime. His most famous plays include The Devil's General and The Merry Widow. Zuckmayer's career was significantly impacted by the political climate in Germany, leading him to emigrate to the United States in 1934. He continued to write and became a prominent figure in German literature, receiving several awards for his contributions. He passed away on January 18, 1972, in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York.