Bernhard Severin Ingemann
Bernhard Severin (B. S.) Ingemann (born May 28, 1789 in
Thorkildstrup, Falster, Denmark; died February 24, 1862 in
Sorø) was a Danish novelist and poet.
The son of a vicar he early became fatherless and after some hard years of youth he at last settled as a teacher at the
Academy of Sorø. His early literary phase was marked by unrestrained German romanticism (his poem De sorte Riddere, 1814 - "The Black Knights") but later on he found a more
moderate tune.
Both as a poet and as a novel writer he was inspired by Danish Medieval history.
1824 he wrote the epic poem Valdemar den Store og hans Mænd,
(Valdemar the Great and his Men). He also wrote the four novels Valdemar the Victorious in 1827, Erik Menveds Barndom,
1828 (Engl. transl. The Childhood of King Erik Menved, 1846), Kong Erik og de
Fredløse ("King Erik and the Outlaws") in 1833 and Prins Otto af Danmark ("Prince Otto
of Denmark") 1835. Clearly inspired by Walter Scott these voluminous novels describe
important and dramatic events of Danish Medieval history about 1200-1350 all centred around a king and stressing the need of
faith and religion as the base of the progress of a country. They have been much blamed for being anachronistic and theatrical
but they enjoyed an enormous popularity among the people. In reality they mean the introduction of the historical novel in Danish literature. A later artist's novel Landsbybørnene from
1852 ("The Village Children") is now almost forgotten.
First of all Ingemann is known and famous for his lyrics and his hymns. Normally called the
fourth great hymn writer of Danish literature (after Kingo, Brorson and Grundtvig) he is considered
less rooted in Biblic dogmas and more borne up by a general spiritual and religious interests. A simple, soft and childish tune
runs through them. Especially popular were his Morgen- og Aftensange (”Morning and Evening Songs”) 1837-39, set to music
by the composer Weyse, with their pious joy of Nature’s wonder and of being. The songs are both
filled with religious tunes and appealing to children. Many of them have been classics in Danish schools (for instance I Østen
stiger Solen op – ”In East the Sun rises” and Fred hviler over Land og By – ”Peace is resting over Land and Town”).
Also his Christmas hymns are popular. Besides he wrote poems of historic and mythological
content is the cycle of the sage hero Holger Danske (“Ogier the Dane”, 1837).
He was a personal friend of Grundtvig who was in some degrees his mentor and with whom he shared a deep interest of Danish
Medieval history. Often they have been regarded almost mental twins in spite of clear differences. Also Blicher and H. C. Andersen must be mentioned
among his friends.
Often criticised for sweetishness, naivity and artificial unsteadiness Ingemann was in his elder years much respected and
after the death of Oehlenschläger he was regarded the unofficial “poet’s
king” of Denmark.
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