Book excerpt: August Wilhelm Iffland (19 April 1759 - 22 September 1814) was a German actor and dramatic author. Born in Hanover, his father intended him to be a clergyman, but Iffland preferred the stage, and at eighteen ran away to Gotha in order to prepare himself for a theatrical career. Iffland produced the classical works of Goethe and Schiller with conscientious care, but he had little understanding for the drama of the romantic writers. As an actor, he was conspicuous for his comedy parts: fine gentlemen, polished men of the world, and distinguished princes. The form of play in which Iffland was most at home, both as an actor and playwright, was the domestic drama, the sentimental play of everyday life.