Biography about Tom Kristensen

Tom Aage Kristensen was born 8.4.1893 i London, but grew up in Copenhagen. At the University of Copenhagen he studied Danish, English and German and finished with the final University examination in 1919, the year before his literary debut with the volume of poems Fribytterdrømme. In the course the 1920’s, after extensive travels in the Orient and Spain, he published two more collections of poetry, two novels, a children’s book as well as a large number of reviews, features and occasional poems in Politiken. A pivotal work in his authorship is En Kavaler i Spanien from 1926, along with his chief work the novel Hærværk from 1930. In 1932 he was awarded a Civil List pension. With the travel book Rejse i Italien from 1950, the collection of poems Den sidste lygte from 1954, plus receiving The Golden Laurels in 1955, Tom Kristensen achieved classic status. In 1960 he was a co-founder of The Danish Academy, and in 1968 was himself recipient of The Danish Academy’s Grand Prize. Tom Kristensen died 6.2.1974. Now 25 years after his death Tom Kristensen’s works are still a powerful presence. This was made clear when Hærværk came in 4^th and 5^th respectively in Berlingske Tidende’s and Politiken’s poll for the Danish Book of the Century in 1999.



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An alphabetical guide to Danish writers who have received literary recognition, or whose biographies have appeared in literary reference books. Details include first books published, literature and links concerning the writer, and biographical writing in book form.