Georg Heym was a German writer and poet, a leading figure in early Expressionism. His legacy consists of approximately 500 poems and numerous unfinished dramatic works. In 1911, Ernst Rowohlt published the only collection of Heym's poetry written during his lifetime, "Eternal Day." He died saving his friend, the poet Ernst Balcke, who had fallen through the ice.
A book of short stories, "The Thief," was published after the author's death.

The collection included seven works: "The Fifth of October," "The Madman," "The Autopsy," "Jonathan," "The Ship," "Afternoon," and "The Thief."