Alfred Kerr

Alfred Kerr (18671948) was a prominent German-Jewish literary and theatre critic, essayist, and writer, known for his sharp, insightful critiques and his significant influence on German culture during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He played a key role in shaping public opinion on literature and theatre in Berlin and throughout Germany. Kerr wrote for various influential newspapers, most notably Berliner Tageblatt, where his theatre reviews became highly regarded for their wit and incisive commentary. He was known for his advocacy of modernist writers and playwrights, promoting figures like Bertolt Brecht and Thomas Mann. Kerr's criticism was often bold and uncompromising, making him a respected but sometimes controversial figure in literary circles. With the rise of the Nazis in the 1930s, Kerr, who was Jewish and an outspoken critic of the regime, was forced to flee Germany in 1933. He went into exile, living in various countries before eventually settling in England. His works were banned and burned by the Nazis. Kerr is also remembered for his contributions to intellectual discourse and his efforts to preserve artistic integrity in the face of political oppression. His daughter, Judith Kerr, later became famous as the author of The Tiger Who Came to Tea and When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, which partly reflects their family's experience during the Holocaust.