LAGERLOF, (Ottilia Lovisa) Selma, Swedish author: b. M&rbacka, Verm land, 20 Nov. 1858. Her father was a Swedish army officer; her mother came of a family of artists and clergymen. She was educated at the Royal Women's Superior Training College, Stockholm. She became a teacher at the Girls' High School at Landskrona (1885-95), and dur ing this time prepared her first book, cGosta Berling's Saga) (2 vols., 1891; Eng. trans., Bos ton 1898). Its refreshing breath of romance was a pleasant change from the pessimistic realism which had been the vogue and brought the author prompt and large success. A year's travel in Egypt, Palestine and Greece provided her with material for the second volume of her (2 vols., 1901-02; Eng. trans., New York 1903), and also for portions of 'Christ Legends) (1904; Eng. trans., New York 1908). Out of travel and a study of conditions in Italy and especially in Sicily came the 'Miracles of Anti-Christ' (1897; Eng. trans., Boston 1899). Commissioned in 1902 by the National Teach ers' Association of Sweden to write a school textbook which should present in story form the folklore, geographical peculiarities and flora and fauna of the various provinces of the coun try, Miss Lagerl8f accomplished her task with a success that added a children's classic to Swedish literature— 'Nils Holgersson's Won derful Journey through Sweden) (2 vols., 1906
07), the English translation of which is en titled 'The Wonderful Adventures of Nils' (New York 1907). Honors followed Miss La gerlöf's successes; in 1904 the Swedish Acad emy awarded her its great gold medal; in 1907 she received the degree of doctor of letters from Upsala University; in 1909 she was awarded the Nobel prize for literature, the only woman to have received this honor; and in 1914 the Swedish Academy elected her to member ship — the first woman so honored. Her vogue in America is in part due to Mrs. Velma Swan ton Howard, who early believed in her appeal to Americans and carefully translated many of her books. Her work includes also 'Invisible Links) (1894) ; 'From a Swedish Homestead) (1899; Eng. trans., New York 1901) ;
trans., New York 1914);