Ludwig Holberg

Author Code: NLHX

An orphan child, Holberg lived with relatives in Bergen until the fire of 1702. Educated at the University of Copenhagen, Holberg visited Holland after graduating in 1704 and traveled to London in 1706. He then studied at Oxford for two years. Back in Denmark, he published Introduction to the History of Leading European Nations in 1711. On the basis of this work he was awarded a royal grant, which allowed him to travel further and study. In 1714, he again travelled throughout western Europe, returning to Denmark in 1716. He then published Introduction to Nature and the Law of Man. In 1717, he was appointed professor at the University of Copenhagen and in 1720 achieved the chair of public eloquence. The complete Enlightenment man, Holberg then turned his talents to writing comedies using the pseudonym, Hans Mikkelsen. He produced a serial epic, Peder Paars, in 1719 and when the first Danish-language theatre opened in Copenhagen in 1722, Holberg was its greatest contributor. Indeed, he became known as "the Moliere of the North". His comedies are timeless and are still performed today. Some of the best-known include Jeppe on the Hill, Erasmus Montanus, Ulysses of Ithaca and Political Tinker. When the theatre was closed in 1727, the final performance was of Holberg's Funeral of Danish Comedy. In 1747, Holberg was named a baron. Holberg was a prolific writer and produced numerous plays, biographies, essays, fables and histories and is undoubtedly the father of Danish literature. His performed comedies and some additional plays were collected and published in 1731.