WG Sebald was an acclaimed writer

He had already impressed the literary world with his books based on tragic events of the last 200 years.

A spokeswoman for Norfolk Police said Mr Sebald was in collision with a lorry while negotiating a sweeping left-hand bend.

Born in Wertach im Allgau in Germany, Mr Sebald studied German language and literature in Freiburg, Switzerland and at Manchester.

He became assistant lecturer at the University of Manchester in 1966 and moved to England permanently in 1970 when he began teaching at the University of East Anglia.

He had been Professor of European Literature since 1987 and lived in Norwich with his wife.

His books included Vertigo, Europe, the Past & the Trials of Knowing, Austerlitz and Rings of Saturn.

Greatly missed

Vincent Watts, vice-chancellor at the University of East Anglia, said: "We are shocked and saddened by the untimely death of Max Sebald.

"He was a tremendously supportive colleague and a key figure in the development of literature at the University of East Anglia since he joined us in 1970.

"As an established author he had a unique style that brought him great acclaim in many countries around the world including in his native Germany.

"He was an eminent critic of German literature and teacher of German studies and he also created here at UEA what is now the major centre for literary translation in this country.

"We shall miss him greatly as a friend and colleague."