Born in 1737 Rudolf Erich Raspe was German scholar, scientist, and adventurer best remembered as the author of the popular tall tales The Adventures of Baron Munchausen published in 1785. The stories were originally political satire and are now enjoyed for their humor. First published in English, it was soon followed by a German translation. The adventures of the Baron include riding cannonballs, going to the moon, and pulling himself out of a bog using his own hair. Born in 1737 Rudolf Erich Raspe was German scholar, scientist, and adventurer best remembered as the author of the popular tall tales The Adventures of Baron Munchausen published in 1785. The stories were originally political satire and are now enjoyed for their humor. First published in English, it was soon followed by a German translation. The adventures of the Baron include riding cannonballs, going to the moon, and pulling himself out of a bog using his own hair.