Bertolt Brecht, an influential German poet, playwright, and theatre director, died on 1956-08-14 at the age of 58. He is best known for his pioneering work in Epic theatre, which distinguished him from many of his contemporaries. Born on 1898-02-10 in Augsburg, Bavaria, Bertolt inspired generations of poets, playwrights, and actors in his home country as well as across the world. He studied medicine at the University of Munich, but eventually decided to pursue a career in literature. Many of his works focused on the need for societal change, including his masterpiece The Threepenny Opera. This work, along with numerous plays, poems, and other writings earned him numerous prestigious awards, including the prestigious Goethe Prize. Outside of literature, Bertolt was also a committed pacifist and labor rights activist. His views were sometimes controversial and he welcomed criticism of his work. Bertolt Brecht died at the age of 58, leaving behind a legacy of powerful works and revolutionary ideas. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and admirers.