Selma Lagerlof

Christ Legends (Dodo Press) Selma Lagerlof

Selma Ottilia Lovisa Lagerlof (1858-1940) was a Swedish author. She was the first woman writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, and most widely known for her children's book Nils Holgerssons Underbara Resa Genom Sverige (The Wonderful Adventures of Nils). Lagerlof worked as a country schoolteacher in Landskrona for nearly 10 years while honing her story-telling skills. She began her first novel, Gosta Berling's Saga, while working as a teacher in Landskrona. In 1894 she met Sophie Elkan, also a writer, who became her friend and companion. Over many years, Elkan and Lagerlof critiqued each others' work. Lagerlof wrote of Elkan's strong influence on her work, often disagreeing sharply with the direction Lagerlof wanted to take in her books. In 1914 she became a member of the Swedish Academy, the body that awards the Nobel Prize.