born Nov. 1, 1886, Vienna
died May 30, 1951, New Haven, Conn., U.S.
German writer.
A student of physics, mathematics, and philosophy, Broch published his first major work, The Sleepwalkers (193132), when he was in his 40s. A trilogy tracing the disintegration of European society between 1888 and 1918, it exemplifies his innovative multidimensional novels in its use of many different narrative forms to present a wide range of experiences. His other novels include The Death of Virgil (1945), which presents the last 18 hours of Virgil 's life, and The Spell (1953), a portrayal of a Hitlerian stranger's domination of a village. He also wrote essays, letters, and reviews.