Klaus Willbrand, TikTok-Famous Antiquarian, Dies at 83

The Cologne-based literature expert gained unexpected fame on social media less than a year ago for his engaging videos on classic literature.

Klaus Willbrand, an 83-year-old antiquarian and literature expert from Cologne, passed away peacefully in a hospital on Wednesday after prolonged health issues.
Willbrand rose to prominence on TikTok and Instagram starting in March 2024, where his videos discussing authors like Franz Kafka, James Joyce, and Thomas Mann gained widespread popularity.
Initially hesitant to embrace social media, Willbrand began creating content after his friend and digital consultant, Daria Razumovych, encouraged him to share his vast literary knowledge.
His unique, unpretentious approach to discussing literature resonated with younger audiences, earning him over 100,000 Instagram followers and 40,000 TikTok followers within months.
Razumovych plans to continue running Willbrand's beloved antiquarian bookstore, fulfilling his final wish to preserve his life's work.