Franz Werfel  was born on September 10, 1890 in Prague, Austria-Hungary (now in the Czech Republic).  He fled Germany as the Nazi movement came to power.  Noted works by Werfel include "Venti, Roman der Oper " (1924), "Die Vierzig Tage des Musa Dagh"  (1933) and "Das Lied von Bernadette"  (1941).  The Bernadette novel was inspired by a visit to Lourdes, France during his flight to America.  In America he settled in Hollywood, California where he died in 1945.