Franz Kafka (3 July 1883 - 3 June 1924) was one of the greatest writers of the 20th century, but almost nobody was aware of his writing until after his death. Kafka did not intend for his unpublished work to come out after his death, but his wishes were ignored, to the world's benefit. Kafka's work is so profound and unique that the term "Kafkaesque" is now a part of the English language, a reference to surreal distortions and amazing complexities.