Ludvig Holberg (1684-1754)

This is the most comprehensive treatment of the great Danish-Norwegian polymath of the early Enlightenment, Ludvig Holberg (1684-1754). His famous plays are considered along with his natural law theory, his vast historical works, satires, moral essays, utopian novel, autobiographies, and more. The book aims to revive Holberg as a significant figure from a corner of the Enlightenment world. Written for a non-Scandinavian audience, the book deals with all the main areas of Holberg's work and emphasises the wider European Enlightenment context.

Knud Haakonssen is Professor of Intellectual History, University of St. Andrews, and Long-term Fellow of the Max Weber Center for Advanced Cultural and Social Studies, University of Erfurt. Sebastian Olden-Jørgensen is Associate Professor at the Saxo Institute, History Section, University of Copenhagen.

Introduction Introduction, Part 1: The Author's Life and Career [Sebastian Olden-Jørgensen] Introduction, Part 2: The Author and the Work [Knud Haakonssen] Part I: Lives 1. Holberg's Authorial Personae [Thomas Ewen Daltveit Slettebø] 2. Holberg's Autobiographical Letters [Karen Skovgaard-Petersen] Part II: Morals 3. Holberg's Law of Nature and Nations [Knud Haakonssen] 4. Morals and Religion in Holberg's Essays [Jørgen Magnus Sejersted] 5. Heroes and Heroines: The Lives of Men and Women [Kristoffer Schmidt] 6. Journeys of Humour and Satire: Peder Paars and Niels Klim [Karen Skovgaard-Petersen] 7. Holberg's Comedies: Intentions and Inspirations [Bent Holm] Part III: Histories 8. History: National, Universal and Dynastic [Sebastian Olden-Jørgensen] 9. General Church History [Rolv Nøtvik Jakobsen] 10. Holberg's Jewish History [Jørgen Magnus Sejersted] Part IV: Texts 11. Writings by Holberg in English [Eiliv Vinje]