The story is set in the mid-16th century and revolves around the horse dealer Michael Kohlhaas, who takes justice into his own hands against a wrong that has been done to him. The historical inspiration for this novella by Heinrich von Kleist was the life of the merchant Hans Kohlhase, who was executed in Berlin in 1540. Heinrich von Kleist (1777 - 1811) was a German playwright, storyteller, poet, and publicist. He is best known for the historical knight play "The Princess of Heilbronn," his comedy "The Broken Jug," and for his novellas "Michael Kohlhaas," "The Marquise of O...," and "The Earthquake in Chile." On November 21, 1811, Kleist took his own life along with his companion Henriette Vogel.