László Németh, whose career spanned the period from the mid 1920s to the 1970s, was an outstanding figure in Hungarian intellectual and literary life. His novels have been translated into many languages, and his dramas are among the best of Hungarian dramatic literature. Németh was also important as a thinker and essayist.

Németh was born on 18 April 1901 in Nagybánya, Hungary (now Baia-Mare, Romania), to József Németh, a teacher, and Vilma Németh, née Gáal. Soon after his birth the family moved to Szolnok; in 1905 they moved to Budapest. Németh spent his summer vacations in the peasant household of his paternal relatives in Szilasbalhás; traces of everyday peasant life appear in many of his short stories, novels, and dramas. Németh started his intellectual...