Bernhard Severin Ingemann

Bernhard Severin Ingemann (born May 28, 1789, Torkildstrup, Denmark—died February 24, 1862, Sorø) was a historical novelist and poet whose works glorifying Denmark’s medieval past were popular for generations. Most of Ingemann’s many works have not won enduring acclaim, but his simple morning and evening songs (1837–38) are much admired in Denmark. The title of his patriotic verse cycle Holger Danske (1837; “Holger [or Ogier] the Dane”) is widely recognized, though the work itself is seldom read.

Ingemann studied at the University of Copenhagen, traveled in Germany and Italy, and later settled at Sorø Academy as a teacher (1822) and director (1843–49). There he produced an epic cycle, Valdemar den Store og hans mœnd (1824; “Waldemar the Great and His Men”), followed by five historical novels, of which the last, Dronning Margrete (1836; “Queen Margrete”), is in verse.

For all his touches of realism and Gothic romanticism, Ingemann’s popular reputation rests mostly on his songs and such hymns as “Fred hviler over land og by” (“Peace Rests over Country and Town”), “Den store mester kommer” (“The Great Master Comes”), “Julen har bragt velsignet bud” (“Christmas Has Brought Blessed Tidings”), and “Igennem nat og trængsel” (“Through the Night of Doubt and Sorrow”), well known in English translation. To a lesser extent, he is also remembered for his historical novels.

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