Gerhart von Graevenitz, born 1944. studied both German and English Language and Literature as well as History of the Arts. From 1988 to 2009, he served as professor for contemporary German literature and general literature science at the University of Konstanz, Germany.

From 1996 to 2000, he held the position as permanent guest professor at the Karl-University of Prague, Czech Republic. From 2000 to 2009, he was rector of the University of Konstanz. From 2006 to 2009, he was chairman of the cooperation council of the International Bodenseeschule. From 2006 to 2009, he served as chairman of the regional conference of rectors of the German federal state of Baden-Württemberg. From 2003 to 2009, he was a member of the commission “Studies and Teaching” at the conference of rectors of the institutions of higher education. Since 2007, he has been a member of the board of the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service). Since 2008, he has served as a member of the council of the second German TV-channel. Since 2009, he has been a member of the advisory committee of the Humboldt University Berlin. Since 2009, he is chairman of the endowment fund Martin-Buber-Fellows at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Currently, he is co-editor of the German “Vierteljahresschrift für Literaturwissenschaft und Geistesgeschichte”.
His research focuses on History of literature from the 17th to the 19th century, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Theodor Fontane, History of the media and the culture in the 20th century, literature and anthropology, and studies in literature and cultural science.