Karl Obrath studied in Salzburg and Hamburg and received his M.A. and Ph.D. in German Literature from the University of Cincinnati, where he was also a Lecturer. He is currently an Associate Professor of German at the University of Cincinnati, where he is a George B. Barbour Award recipient and has served as Director of Undergraduate Studies and as Director of the National Work-Study Program in Hamburg, Germany. His research interests include 20th century German culture and literature, as well as the image of Mexico and the USA in German literature. He has taught in the Middlebury German School since 1981.