# Selma Lagerlöf

> Swedish writer (1858–1940)

**Wikidata**: [Q44519](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q44519)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selma_Lagerlöf)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/selma-lagerlof

## Summary
Selma Lagerlöf was a Swedish writer and the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature (1909). She is best known for her novels and children's literature, blending realism with fantasy, and exploring Swedish culture and history.

## Biography
- **Born**: November 20, 1858
- **Nationality**: Swedish
- **Education**: Trained as a teacher at Högre lärarinneseminariet (Higher Teachers' Seminary)
- **Known for**: Nobel Prize-winning author of *Gösta Berlings Saga* and *The Wonderful Adventures of Nils*
- **Employer(s)**: Worked as a teacher before pursuing writing full-time
- **Field(s)**: Literature, education

## Contributions
- **Gösta Berlings Saga** (1891): Debut novel that established her literary reputation, blending folklore and romance.
- **The Wonderful Adventures of Nils** (1906): A children's fantasy novel that became a classic of world literature.
- **Jerusalem** (1901-1902): A two-part novel exploring religious faith and Swedish emigration.
- **Nobel Prize in Literature** (1909): Awarded "in appreciation of the lofty idealism, vivid imagination, and spiritual perception that characterize her writings."
- **Founding Member**: Member of the Swedish Academy (1914) and co-founder of the literary society Samfundet De Nio (1913).

## FAQs
**What are Selma Lagerlöf's most famous works?**  
Her most celebrated novels include *Gösta Berlings Saga* (1891), *The Wonderful Adventures of Nils* (1906), and *Jerusalem* (1901-1902), which showcase her unique blend of realism and fantasy.

**What awards did Selma Lagerlöf receive?**  
She won the Nobel Prize in Literature (1909), the Litteris et Artibus medal, and the Illis quorum gold medal. She was also an Officer of the Legion of Honour and an honorary doctor of Uppsala University.

**How did Selma Lagerlöf influence Swedish culture?**  
Lagerlöf revitalized Swedish literature by drawing on folklore and history, making her a central figure in the Swedish literary canon. Her works are still widely read and adapted today.

**What legacy honors Selma Lagerlöf?**  
An asteroid (11061 Lagerlöf), a crater on Venus, and the Selma Lagerlöf Prize (established 1983) commemorate her contributions to literature.

## Why They Matter
Selma Lagerlöf reshaped Swedish literature by infusing it with imaginative storytelling and cultural depth, earning international acclaim. Her Nobel Prize win opened doors for women writers globally, and her works remain foundational in children's literature and Swedish identity. Without her, the literary landscape of Scandinavia and the broader canon of world literature would lack a pioneering voice that merged tradition with innovation.

## Notable For
- First woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature (1909)
- Revived Swedish literary tradition through folklore-inspired narratives
- Pioneered children's fantasy literature with *The Wonderful Adventures of Nils*
- Member of the Swedish Academy and co-founder of Samfundet De Nio
- Honored with multiple medals, including Litteris et Artibus and Illis quorum

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Selma Lagerlöf was born on November 20, 1858, in Sweden. She studied at Högre lärarinneseminariet (Higher Teachers' Seminary) to become a teacher, a profession she pursued before dedicating herself to writing.

### Literary Career
Lagerlöf's literary breakthrough came with *Gösta Berlings Saga* (1891), a novel that revitalized Swedish literature by incorporating folklore and romantic elements. Her subsequent works, such as *Jerusalem* (1901-1902), explored themes of faith and migration, while *The Wonderful Adventures of Nils* (1906) cemented her reputation as a master of children's fantasy.

### Awards and Recognition
In 1909, Lagerlöf became the first woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, a milestone that highlighted her innovative storytelling and thematic depth. She also received the Litteris et Artibus medal for cultural achievements, the Illis quorum gold medal, and was named an Officer of the Legion of Honour. Uppsala University honored her with an honorary doctorate.

### Institutional Affiliations
Lagerlöf was elected to the Swedish Academy in 1914, one of the few women admitted during her time. She co-founded the literary society Samfundet De Nio in 1913, further solidifying her role in shaping Swedish literary culture.

### Legacy and Influence
Lagerlöf's impact extends beyond her writings. She inspired generations of writers, particularly women, to pursue literary careers. Her exploration of Swedish identity and history helped define the nation's cultural narrative. The Selma Lagerlöf Prize, established in 1983, honors her legacy by recognizing outstanding literary achievements.

### Commemoration
Her contributions are commemorated through the asteroid 11061 Lagerlöf, a crater on Venus named Lagerlöf, and the enduring popularity of her novels. These tributes reflect her status as a literary icon whose works continue to captivate readers worldwide.

### Works and Themes
Lagerlöf's writing often blended realism with fantastical elements, drawing on Swedish folklore and historical contexts. Her novels frequently explored themes of faith, identity, and social change, offering nuanced portrayals of rural Swedish life and the immigrant experience. This unique approach not only resonated with Swedish audiences but also garnered international acclaim, ensuring her place in the global literary canon.

## References

1. Sveriges dödbok 1830–2020
2. [Östra Ämterviks kyrkoarkiv, Födelse- och dopböcker, SE/VA/13685/C/7 (1833-1860), bildid: C0039805_00103. Swedish church birth records](https://sok.riksarkivet.se/bildvisning/C0039805_00103#?cv=102&z=2778.2727%2C3058.3862%2C2977.2693%2C1557.168&c=&m=&s=&xywh=2439%2C2414%2C3117%2C2406)
3. Selma O L Lagerlöf. Dictionary of Swedish National Biography
4. BnF authorities
5. [Source](http://www2.ub.gu.se/kvinndata/portaler/rostratt/pdf/rostrattsfragan.pdf)
6. Integrated Authority File
7. [Swedish Census 1880](https://sok.riksarkivet.se/?postid=Folk_120444344)
8. [Östra Ämterviks kyrkoarkiv, Födelse- och dopböcker, SE/VA/13685/C/7 (1833-1860), bildid: C0039805_00103. Swedish church birth records](https://sok.riksarkivet.se/bildvisning/C0039805_00103?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=0#?cv=102&z=2778.2727%2C3058.3862%2C2977.2693%2C1557.168)
9. LIBRIS. 2018
10. [Swedish Census 1910](https://sok.riksarkivet.se/?postid=Folk_126670838)
11. Library of the World's Best Literature
12. [Östra Ämterviks kyrkogård: Selma Lagerlöf. kulturgravar.se](https://www.kulturgravar.se/6_15_065_s_lagerlof.html)
13. [Source](https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/about/amounts/)
14. Svenskt kvinnobiografiskt lexikon
15. International Standard Name Identifier
16. CiNii Research
17. Virtual International Authority File
18. MusicBrainz
19. [Source](http://samfundetdenio.se/historiska-stolar-2/stol-nr-2-selma-lagerlof/)
20. Arkiv L1 - Selma Lagerlöf-samlingen. Arken
21. EB-12 / Lagerlöf, Selma
22. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
23. SNAC
24. Find a Grave
25. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
26. [Östra Ämterviks kyrkoarkiv, Husförhörslängder, SE/VA/13685/A I/12 (1854-1861), bildid: C0039792_00126. Swedish household records](https://sok.riksarkivet.se/bildvisning/C0039792_00126?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=0#?cv=125&z=203.4318%2C858.6494%2C1944.2398%2C1192.3524)
27. NooSFere
28. filmportal.de
29. FemBio database
30. BD Gest'
31. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
32. Vegetti Catalog of Fantastic Literature
33. GeneaStar
34. Babelio
35. Archivio Storico Ricordi
36. The Fine Art Archive
37. ProDetLit
38. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
39. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
40. Norwegian Authority File: Persons and Corporate Bodies
41. KulturNav
42. Swedish Literature Bank
43. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index10.html)
44. [Source](https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-476-03702-2_198)
45. [1900 Sweden Census](https://sok.riksarkivet.se/?postid=Folk_112029477)
46. [Source](https://runeberg.org/smok/4/0475.html)
47. [Source](https://runeberg.org/nffm/0172.html)
48. [Source](https://runeberg.org/nfbo/0457.html)
49. [Source](https://www.dbnl.org/tekst/coil001lexi01_01/lvdj00606.php#l004)
50. nobelprize.org