Henrik Pontoppidan (Pontoppidan Henrik)

(1857-1943)
Born July 24, 1857 in Fredericia. He studied engineering, but interrupted his studies and for a time taught in traditional school. In 1881 he published the first stories. His main work was the trilogy of The Promised Land (Det forjttede land, 1891-1895), Lucky Peer (Lykke-Per, 1898-1904) and the kingdom of the dead (De ddes rige, 1912-1916). Heaven human (Mands himmerig, 1927) was his last major work. In 1917 he shared the Nobel Prize for literature with K. Gjellerup.
Beginning his literary career Pontoppidan was marked by the influence of G. Brandes, later came the disappointment. Pontoppidan was one of the largest and most insightful realist novelists Denmark. His life is remarkable display of thoroughness, outwardly impassive style. Died in Pontoppidan Sharlottenlunde August 21, 1943.