WILDGANS, ANTON (1881-1932), Austrian poet and dramatist, was born in Vienna on April 17,1881, began and com pleted a course of legal studies in Vienna university and was artistic manager of the celebrated Burgtheater there In 1909 he attracted notice by a book of verses Herbstfruhling, and in a series of lyrical volumes he gave expression to erotic passion, to deep sympathy with nature and with human suffering. Wildgans appears to be connected with the Hofmannsthalists, al though maintaining his independence. His plays, Armut (1914),
Liebe (1916) and Dies Irae (1918) begin in an atmosphere of real ism, culminating in that of symbolism or mysticism. As a counter part to this krgerliche trilogy another of mythological or religious character was planned, the first part of which, Kain, was acted in 1921. An epic poem, written in hexameters, Kirbisch (1927), depicts Austrian mentality as influenced by the World War.