RICHARD VOSS (1851-), German dramatist and novelist, was born at Neugrape, in Pomerania, on the 2nd of September 1851, the son of a country squire. Though intended for the life of a country gentleman, he showed no inclination for outdoor life, and on his return from the war of 1870-71, in which he was wounded, he studied philosophy at Jena and Munich, and then settled at Berchtesgaden. In 1884 Voss was appointed by the grand duke of Weimar librarian of the Wartburg, but, in consequence of illness, he resigned the post.
Chief among his dramas are Savonarola (1878); Magda (1879) Die Patricierin (1880); Der Mohr des Zaren (1883); Unehrlich Volk (1885); Alexandra (1888); Eva (1889); Wehe dem Besiegten (1889); Die neue Zeit (1891); Schuldig (1892). Among his novels may be mentioned San Sebastian (1883); Der Sohn der Volskerin (1885); Die Sabinerin (1888); Der Monch von Berchtesgaden (1891); Der neue Gott (1898); Die Rdcherin (1899); Allerlei Erlebtes (1902); and Die Leute von Valdare (1902).
See M. Goldmann, Richard Voss, ein literarisches Charakterbild (1900).