Rudolf Erich Raspe (Hannover, 1737 - Donegall, Ireland, 1794). German writer and scientist, known for being the author of the first known versions of The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. The son of a government accounting Hannover (then under control of England) and a Prussian lady, Raspe found the starting point for his ambitions at the University of Gottingen. As a student, influenced by the thinking of Leibniz, he had contact with the world of artistic antiques. He wrote articles and other literary publications, and was appointed Professor of Ancient History. He came to join the Royal Society of London.