German writer particularly known for his poetry, representative of early Expressionism. In January 1911, Ernst Rowohlt published Heym’s first book and the only one to appear in his lifetime, Der ewige Tag (The Eternal Day).
In 1910 Heym met the poet and writer Simon Guttmann, who invited him to join the recently founded Der Neue Club, a descendant of a student society at the University of Berlin. Other members of this Club included Kurt Hiller, Jakob van Hoddis, and Erwin Loewenson (also known as Golo Gangi); often visiting were Else Lasker-Schüler, Gottfried Benn, and Karl Kraus. Although the Club had no actual stated objective, its members all shared a sense of rebellion against contemporary culture and possessed a desire for political and aesthetic upheaval. The Club held “Neopathetisches Cabaret” meetings in which members presented work, and it was here that Heym first gained notice. His poetry immediately attracted praise.
Heym later went through several judicial jobs, none of which he held for long due to his lack of respect for authority. On 16 January 1912, Heym and his friend Ernst Balcke went on a skating trip to the frozen river Havel. They never returned. A few days later their bodies were found. Appearances indicated that Balcke had fallen through the ice and Heym had attempted to save him but fell in as well. Heym remained alive for half an hour, calling out for help. His cries were heard by some nearby forestry workers, but they were unable to reach him. He was 24.
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