Hermann Karl Hesse (German: [ˈhɛʁman ˈhɛsə]; July 2, 1877 – August 9, 1962) was a German-born poet, novelist, and painter. His best-known works include Demian, Steppenwolf, Siddhartha, and The Glass Bead Game, each of which explores an individual's search for authenticity, self-knowledge and spirituality. In 1946, he received the Nobel Prize in Literature.