The stories about Munchhausen were first collected and published by an anonymous author in 1781. An English version was published in London in 1785, by Rudolf Erich Raspe, as Baron Munchhausen's Narrative of his Marvellous Travels and Campaigns in Russia, also called The Surprising Adventures of Baron Munchhausen. Rudolf Erich Raspe (March 1736 - November 1794) was a German librarian, writer and scientist. He is best known for his collection of tall tales, The Surprising Adventures of Baron Munchausen, originally a satirical work with political aims."

Hieronymus Karl Friedrich Baron von Munchhausen was a German nobleman and a famous recounter of tall tales. He joined the Russian military and took part in two campaigns against the Ottoman Turks. Upon returning home, Munchhausen recounted a number of outrageous stories about his adventures. The stories of Munchhausen were first collected and published by an anonymous author in 1781. An English version was published in London in 1785, by Rudolf Erich Raspe, as The Adventures of Baron Munchhausen. It is not clear how much of the story material derives from the Baron himself; however, it is...