Ewald, Johannes (1743–1781)

Danish poet. His lyrical poetry at its best is unsurpassed in Danish literature, and his plays often show close affinity to French classicism. These include the biblical drama Adam og Eva/Adam and Eve 1769, the tragedy Rolf Krage 1770, the lyrical Balders Död/The Death of Balder 1773, and the patriotic Fiskerne/The Fishermen 1779.

Born in Copenhagen, Ewald was an adventurer who ran away to war as a boy. He wrote of his short and chaotic life (he died an alcoholic) in slightly fictionalized form in Levnet og Meninger/Life and Meanings published 1804–05, an entertaining and moving work. He had tried his hand at allegory (Lykkens Tempel/The Temple of Happiness 1764) and theatrical comedy, but had greatest success with his serious plays.