Max Frisch is born on May 15 in Zurich, the son of          architect Franz Bruno, and Karolina Bettina Frisch.

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Frisch studies German literature at the University of Zurich, he is particularly interested in the work of Henrik Ibsen. It is here that he begins writing his first plays.

Frisch abandons his studies due to financial problems he suffered after the death of his father. He becomes a free-lance journalist to support his family.

Frisch begins working as a journalist for a major Swiss newspaper the opinions expressed in his column are in stark contrast to the conservative views of the newspaper for which he is writing.

Frisch studies architecture in Zurich.

During World War II, he serves periodically in the Swiss army, recording his experiences in a diary.

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Frisch marries Gertrud Constanze von Meyenburg, they go on to have two daughters and a son.

He writes his first play Santa Cruz, which is performed at the Shauspielhaus in Zurich.

Frisch keeps a diary, or Tagebuch, detailing his experience of post war Europe and composing drafts of plays and novels. The Chinese Wall is written this year.

Bertold Brecht and Max Frisch meet in Zurich, Brecht’s concept of the epic theatre begins to influence Frisch's own dramatic works

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Visits Prague, writes a short story called Burlesque, which will later become the play The Firebugs (A.K.A. The Arsonists)

Writes When the War Was Over

Writes Count Oderland

Adapts Biedermann and the Firebugs as a radio play

Frisch writes Don Juan

Frisch begins writing novels which explore alienation and identity in modern society, including I’m Not Stiller (1954) and Homo Faber (1957).

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The Georg Buchner Prize is awarded to Frisch, The Firebugs is put on stage for the first time

The Arsonists, then known as The Fire Raisers, is given its British premiere at the Royal Court Theatre

 Frisch writes Andorra

Frisch Moves to New York

He is awarded an honorary degree by the University of Marburg in Germany.

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Max Frisch dies of cancer in Zurich on April 4

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