Franz Kafka (born July 3, 1883 in Prague, Austria-Hungary; died June 3, 1924 in Klosterneuburg-Kierling, Austria. Sometimes also known in Czech as Frantiลกek Kafka) was a German-speaking author. The main body of his work consists of three unfinished novels (The Trial, The Castle and Amerika: The Missing Person) and numerous short stories. The majority of Kafkaโs works were only published after his death โ contrary to his final wishes โ by Max Brod, a close friend and confidant whom Kafka had appointed his executor. Kafkaโs works are counted among the undisputed canon of world literature.