Franz Kafka (born July 3, 1883 in Prague, Austria-Hungary; died June 3, 1924 in Klosterneuburg-Kierling, Austria. Sometimes also known in Czech as František Kafka) was a German-speaking author. The main body of his work consists of three unfinished novels (The Trial, The Castle and Amerika: The Missing Person) and numerous short stories. The majority of Kafka’s works were only published after his death – contrary to his final wishes – by Max Brod, a close friend and confidant whom Kafka had appointed his executor. Kafka’s works are counted among the undisputed canon of world literature.