Conrad Ferdinand Meyer (11 October 1825 – 28 November 1898) was a Swiss poet and historical novelist,[1] a master of literary realism who is mainly remembered for stirring narrative ballads like "Die Füße im Feuer" (The Feet in the Fire).

Throughout his childhood two traits were observed that later characterized the man and the poet: he had a most scrupulous regard for neatness and cleanliness, and he lived and experienced more deeply in memory than in the immediate present.

[2] He suffered from bouts of mental illness, sometimes requiring hospitalization; his mother, similarly but more severely afflicted, killed herself.

The two historians who influenced Meyer particularly were Louis Vulliemin at Lausanne and Jacob Burckhardt at Basel, whose book on the Culture of the Renaissance stimulated his imagination and interest.

[4] Meyer found his calling only late in life; for many years, being practically bilingual, he wavered between French and German.