GANGHOFER, gin Ludwig, Ba varian poet, dramatist, novelist and statesman: b. 7 July 1855 at Kaufbenren. He was the son of August G. (1826-1900), who bore the title of Oberforstrat and was the author of several useful books on forestry. As a youth he showed ability in mechanics and was trained in the technique of machinery. He studied philosophy, philology and the natural sciences at Wiirzburg, Munich and Berlin. But after 1879, making his debut with a volume of lyrics, he devoted himself entirely to literary activities, taking up his residence in Leipzig. The fol lowing year he issued his translation of De Musset's 'Rollo.' He continued pouring forth poems, collecting them from time to time under the titles 'Bunte Zeit) (1883) ; (Heimkehrer' (1884); 'Es War Einmal: Moderne Mirchen' (1891) • 'Fliegender Sommer: kleine Erzahlun gen' (1893) and 'Die Siinde der Vater,) (1886), the last reaching its seventh edition in 1902. He then turned his attention to dramatic writing and attained his first success with 'Der Herrgottschnitzler von Ammergau' which he wrote for the Wandertruppe of the Munich Dialect Theatre and which was played with Hans Neuert in the chief part in 1880. In 1:4:1 he was invited to Vienna to become Dramaturg for the Ringtheater. From 1886 until 1892 he was editor of the feuilleton of the Wiener Tageblatt. But when the theatre was burned the stock company was scattered. His first successful play was published in 1890 in the 'Newer Novellenschatz' with illustrations by Engel and in 1901 had reached its 10th edition. Among his other plays were 'Der ProzesshansP (1884); 'Der Geigenmacher vom Mittelwald' (1884; new ed., 1900) and in collaboration with
Marco Brociner,