Robert Walser (1878-1956) was a Swiss writer known for his short prose works often depicting everyday life with a touch of surrealism. He lived a solitary life in sanatoriums and asylums due to mental health struggles. Walser's writing style was minimalist yet profound, influencing later literary figures such as Franz Kafka. Despite living in relative obscurity during his lifetime, his works gained recognition posthumously as his unique voice and poetic language were appreciated by critics and readers alike.