Peter von Matt, the esteemed Swiss literature scholar and author, has died at the age of 87. According to information provided by his family to the German Press Agency, the intellectual and sought-after speaker passed away in Zurich on Monday after a prolonged illness. This news was first reported by the Swiss broadcaster SRF.
Von Matt was known for weaving together gems of world literature with unique narratives. In his entertaining book Liebesverrat: Die Treulosen in der Literatur (1989), he explored love dramas throughout world literature. He addressed familial conflicts in Verkommene Söhne, missratene Töchter. Familiendesaster in der Literatur (1995) and delved into complex characters in Die Intrige. Theorie und Praxis der Hinterlist (2006). In 2017, he also wrote about the act of kissing.
In addition to his literary analysis, von Matt extensively engaged with European identity and examined the Swiss psyche, as seen in his essay collection Das Kalb vor der Gotthardpost (2012).