Lorenz Diefenbach

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Lorenz Diefenbach (July 19, 1806 in Ostheim, Hesse – March 28, 1883 in Darmstadt) was a German librarian, pastor, German linguist, and ethnologist, as well as a German-nationalist novelist.

Diefenbach was a member of the Academy of Sciences in Berlin, and was friends with Jacob Grimm. He ultimately became known through his book titled Arbeit macht frei, which was later cynically misused by the Nazis. The main hero of the novel, through regular work, arrives on the path of virtue.

In addition, Diefenbach wrote poems and numerous academic works, including research of German dialects.