Ludvig Holberg, The Founder of Norwegian Literature and an Oxford Student

Hammer, S. C. (Simon Christian), 1866-Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

Rating 3.0

Word count: 66K words
Chapters: 7

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Ludvig Holberg, The Founder of Norwegian Literature and an Oxford Student by HammerAuthor: Hammer, S. C. (Simon Christian), 1866-,Language: English, Class: PT: Language and Literatures: Germanic, Scandinavian, and Icelandic literatures, Release Date: Aug 23, 2011

Editor's review

This is a short English critical biography by S. C. Hammer of Ludvig Holberg, focusing on the dual identity of the writer called the founder of Norwegian literature and an Oxford student. Holberg was born in Norway but was long active in Denmark, known for his comedies and essays, and was an important figure in eighteenth-century Nordic Enlightenment thought; this book begins with his time at Oxford and discusses how this English experience influenced his later writing and thought. As a free electronic text from Project Gutenberg, it is short and in English, suitable as introductory supplementary material for the history of Nordic literature and eighteenth-century European intellectual exchange. Its approach is more expository than deeply researched, allowing readers to quickly establish an outline of Holberg's life and literary standing, but for academic research one should still consult fuller biographies and Holberg's own works. It can be read alongside selections from Holberg's comedies or essays to appreciate the connection between the critical biography's discussion and his actual creative achievement.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in Nordic literary history, especially Norwegian and Danish literature
Scholars studying eighteenth-century European Enlightenment thought and transnational educational exchange
Humanities students needing a concise English critical biography as supplementary course reading
Biography readers interested in how an Oxford education influenced a writer's work

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking Holberg's original works or a complete anthology
Specialist researchers needing detailed scholarly inquiry and extensive annotation
General readers with no interest in Nordic literature or eighteenth-century intellectual history

Reading tips

First read an overview of Holberg's life and works before entering this book, to better grasp what the commentary refers to.
While reading, consult a selection from one of Holberg's comedies or essays to compare with the judgments in the critical biography.
Treat the book as one thread in the history of Nordic literature, and after reading extend to materials on the Danish Golden Age.
The English text is short; read it through in one sitting, then revisit the passages on the Oxford experience to sort out its influence on his writing.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Why is Holberg called the founder of Norwegian literature?

Holberg was born in Norway but wrote mainly in Danish and was active in Denmark; his comedies, essays, and philosophical works had a profound influence on Nordic literary language and Enlightenment culture. The book's title positions him as the "founder of Norwegian literature," and the main text offers commentary on his life and literary standing.

Is this a complete biography of Holberg?

No. It is a short English critical biography by S. C. Hammer, limited in length, focusing on Holberg's Oxford years and his status as a literary founder rather than covering his entire life in detail. Researchers should seek fuller biographies and collected works elsewhere.

Which part of Holberg's time at Oxford does the book focus on?

The title notes that Holberg was an Oxford student, and the main text discusses this period of study in England and its relationship to his later writing and thought. For specific details, refer to the book's account, which readers can understand in light of the background of eighteenth-century European student travel.

Can someone who does not know Norwegian or Danish read this book?

Yes. The main text is in English and discusses Holberg's life and literary standing without requiring knowledge of Nordic languages. However, to read Holberg's works further, one would need to find English translations or learn Danish or Norwegian.

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About the author

Hammer, S. C. (Simon Christian), 1866- Author · Danish · 1866

Simon Christian Hammer (S. C. Hammer, born 1866) was a Danish writer about whom Chinese-language sources provide only limited information. According to available public records, he wrote travel accounts and popular works intended for general readers, with an emphasis on readability and the spread of knowledge. One of his works is held in the collection: Ludvig Holberg, The Founder of Norwegian Literature and an Oxford Student, which concerns the life and student years of Ludvig Holberg, the founder of Norwegian literature, introducing his literary standing and his time at Oxford. The title suggests that Hammer took an interest in Nordic literary history and biography, and that he was skilled at narrating the lives and contributions of cultural figures in an accessible style. Because public information is limited, his education, career, and other writings remain unclear, and a fuller account of his style and overall influence would require more complete sources.