HOLBERG, LUDVIG, the creator of modern Danish literature, and not only the ear liest but the wittiest and best writer of light comedy in Denmark, was b. iu 1684 at Bergen, in Norway, at the period when the latter country formed part of the Danish dominions. The ten years which succeeded his appointment, in 1718, as professor of metaphysics in the university of Copenhagen, where he had studied with the oriminal intention of entering the church, embrace the most active literary period of his life; for during that time he composed his various satirico-heroic poems and romances, and the greater number of his numerous comedies, which are still regarded by his country men as the best productions of their kind in the Danish language. The creation of a national theater in 1722 by king Frederick IV., who sent for French actors to teach Danish players the art of declamation, had led Holberg to try his talents in dramatic writing, and the success which attended the attempt was speedily followed by others still more felicitous. Wealth and honors poured in upon him as lie advanced in years,
and he received a patent of nobility in 1746. He died in 1754, bequeathing his property to the Danish royal military academy of Soroe. Holberg's collected works were pub lished in 27 volumes octave at Copenhagen in 1826; and in 1842 an association was established in that city for the better editing of his writings, the dramatic portion of which was edited by Liebenberg in 1843-47.
Holberg's first satirico-heroic poem of Peder Pears (1719), and his Niels Mims under jordiske Rase (1741), which appeared originally in Latin, but which was speedily trans lated into several modern languages, rank among his best productions, although among his numerous comedies there are many that have enjoyed an almost equal popularity. Of these we may instance, as especially notable for their broad humor and truth to nature, Den politiske Kandestoeber, Jeppe paa Byerget, Den Stundesloese, and Julestuen.