Friedrich Dürrenmatt (January 5, 1921 – December 14, 1990) was a Swiss author and dramatist.

He was born in Konolfingen near Bern. The politically active author gained fame largely due to his avant-garde dramas, philosophically deep crime novels, and often macabre satire.

The Visit (Der Besuch der alten Dame, 1956) which tells of a rich benefactor visiting her beneficiaries, is the work best known in the United States. The satiric drama The Physicists (Die Physiker, 1962) which deals with issues concerning science and its responsibility for dramatic and even dangerous changes to our world has also been presented in translation.

He died in Neuchâtel.

Selected Bibliography

• Es steht geschrieben (1947)
• Der Blinde (1947)
• Romulus der Große (1950)
• Der Richter und sein Henker (1952)
• Die Ehe des Herrn Mississippi (1952)
• Der Verdacht (1953)
• Der Besuch der alten Dame (1956)
• Die Panne (1956)
• Die Physiker (1962)
• Der Meteor (1966)
• Play Strindberg (1969)
• Der Sturz (1971)
• Achterloo (1982)
• Justiz (1985)