Georg Brandes

Date of Birth: February 4, 1842

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: February 19, 1927

Biography

Georg Morris Cohen Brandes was a prominent Danish critic and scholar who played a significant role in the cultural and intellectual life of Denmark and Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born on February 4, 1842, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Brandes is best known for his influential lectures at the University of Copenhagen, which marked the beginning of the Modern Breakthrough in Scandinavian literature. He championed realism and naturalism, opposing the romanticism that dominated the literature of his time. Brandes’s works emphasized the importance of literature in addressing social issues and reflecting contemporary life. Throughout his career, he wrote extensively on a wide range of authors and topics, leaving a lasting impact on literary criticism and modern thought.

5 Interesting Facts about Georg Brandes

1. Georg Brandes was fluent in multiple languages, including Danish, German, French, and English, which allowed him to engage with and critique a wide array of European literature.

2. Brandes’s lectures at the University of Copenhagen in 1871-1872 are considered the starting point of the Modern Breakthrough, a movement that emphasized realism and addressed social issues in Scandinavian literature.

3. He was a strong advocate for women’s rights and social reforms, using his platform to support progressive causes.

4. Brandes had a significant influence on many Scandinavian authors, including Henrik Ibsen and August Strindberg, who credited him with shaping their literary direction.

5. Despite facing considerable opposition and criticism from conservative circles, Brandes’s ideas eventually gained widespread acceptance and significantly altered the literary landscape of his time.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Georg Brandes

1. “Literature must be an expression of the epoch in which it is written.”

2. “The greatest danger to our future is apathy.”

3. “To live is to war with trolls in heart and soul.”

4. “A critic should have the courage to say what he thinks, even when it goes against the current.”

5. “In the struggle for existence, it is only the strongest and most adaptable who survive.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Georg Brandes’s highest net worth is not well-documented, as his era did not place the same emphasis on personal wealth as contemporary times. However, his influence and intellectual legacy far exceed any monetary valuation.