Hjalmar Bergman

Hjalmar Bergman (1883-1931), Swedish author, best known for his works of creative fancy and psychological acuteness. Bergman was born in the city of Örebro, Sweden. After studying at the University of Uppsala, Sweden, he traveled in Europe, spending long periods of time in Italy, where he began to write. Bergman created the imaginary city of Wadköping, which appears in the novels Markurells i Wadköping (1919; God's Orchid, 1924), and Farmor och Vår Herre (1921; Thy Rod and Thy Staff, 1937). Critics have noted in Bergman’s works the influence of the theories of psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, notably in the novel Chefen fru Ingeborg (1924; The Head of the Firm, 1936). As a playwright, Bergman was an experimentalist of importance, as can be seen in Herr Sleeman kommer (1917; Mr. Sleeman is Coming, 1944). His other plays include Patrasket (The Rabble, 1928) and Swedenhielms (1925).