Broch, Hermann

Hermann Broch was one of the most important one among those 20th century authors whose writings were also influenced by doubts about the intrinsic value of literature. Like his fellow countrymen Robert Musil and Ludwig Wittgenstein, who were of the same generation as he, he was born in a wealthy industrialist family; in Broch's case, it had to with textile factories. His education was completely focused on that he would take over the family company, and he did run it until, at the age of 40, he sold it all in order to devote himself completely to his intellectual interests. Between 1926 and 1930, he studied mathematics, philosophy, and psychology at the University of Vienna, where logical positivism was just growing strong. Disappointed by his teachers' repudiation of any metaphysical issues, Broch left his studies incomplete and decided to develop his authorship instead.