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The Swiss author and playwright, Friedrich Duerrenmatt, pictured in Schwetzingen, West Germany, June 18,1988. Duerrenmatt was born in Konolfingen, Switzerland, January 5, 1921. As a young man, Duerrenmatt attended the University of Bern where he studied literature, theology, philosophy, and science. It was here that he first became interested in playwriting. His breakthrough came in 1952 with the comedy "The Marriage of Mr. Mississippi" ("Die Ehre des Herrn Mississippi"). Duerrenmatt's most popular plays include "Romulus the Great" ("Romulus der Grosse", 1949), "The Visit" ("Der Besuch der alten Dame", 1956), "The Physicists" ("Die Physiker", 1962), and "Play Strindberg" (1969). His many awards include the Drama Critics' Circle Award and the Schiller Prize. He died on December 14, 1990 in Neuchatel, Switzerland. (KEYSTONE/DPA/Marcus Thelen) === , ===