Hjalmar Söderberg

He was a writer, known for Gertrud (1964), Den allvarsamma leken (1945) and Doktor Glas (1942). He was married to Emilie Voss.

Born in Stockholm, Söderberg began his literary course at the Swedish news daily Svenska Dagbladet, age 20. Six years later his first novel was released, Förvillelser (Delusions, 1895), written from the viewpoint of a young dandy aimlessly idling in the capital, recklessly squandering money and love. The somber yet reflective and insightful story would prove typical of much of Söderberg's output. Subsequent to the release of Historietter (Anecdotes, 1898), a collection of twenty short stories, his next major work – Martin Bircks Ungdom (Martin Birck's Youth, 1901) – was released. Much like Förvillelser in terms of its vivid environmental depiction and acute perception, it follows the development of a young amateur poet. Söderberg's next novel, by some considered his masterpiece, was Doktor Glas (Doctor Glas, 1905). In a frightful tale of vengeance and passion, Söderberg stays true to his detached yet emotionally poignant writing style.

Söderberg was married to Märta Abenius (b. 1871, d. 1932) between the years 1899–1917. They had three children: actress Dora Söderberg-Carlsten (b. 1899), Tom Söderberg (b. 1900) and Mikael Söderberg (b. 1903). From 1917 he was married in Denmark to Emelie Voss (b. 1876, d. 1957), with whom he had one child: actress Betty Søderberg (b. 1910).

Hjalmar Söderberg was born on July 2, 1869 in Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden.