Page:History of the Literature of the Scandinavian North.djvu/201

CHAPTER IV.

HOLBERG AND HIS TIME (1700-1750).

Holberg's youth. His studies and journeys. First appointment as professor. Historical works. Publication of Peder Paars. Opening of the Danish theatre. Holberg's comedies. Interruption of his poetical activity. Travels abroad. Greater historical works. Continued dramatic composition. Niels Klim. Last works. Bequests to the Sorö Academy. Holberg's importance and influence considered. Christian Falster. Jürgen Sorterup. Ambrosius Stub. Hans Brorson. Frederik Eilschow. Erik Pontoppidan. Hans Gram. Jakob Langebek. Peter Suhm.

FROM our description given in the preceding chapters of the beginnings of Danish-Norwegian literature it appears that vigorous efforts to establish a literature had already been made in various directions and important results had been attained, but the really decisive impulse was given to the literary activities of these countries when Ludvig Holberg appeared. He not only cleared the ground and winnowed away a vast amount of rubbish which had hindered the development of intellectual life, but what was of chief importance, the barriers were thrown down which had for centuries separated the people from the learned class, and which the Reformation, with its fresh breath sweeping through the northern lands, had not been able to remove, but which yielded to Holberg's powerful attacks, never to rise again. It is true that all that was to be achieved in this direction could not possibly be done by one single man. There was need of the coöperation of a whole generation, but the first mighty impulse was given by Holberg.

Ludvig Holberg was born in Bergen, Norway, December 3, 1684. His father had risen from a common soldier to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and Ludvig, who was the youngest of twelve children, was according to the cus-

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