Strindberg, (Johan) August (1849-1912)

Swedish dramatist and novelist. His plays are in a variety of styles including historical dramas, symbolic dramas (the two-part Dödsdansen/The Dance of Death (1901)), and ‘chamber plays’ such as Spöksonaten/The Ghost [Spook] Sonata (1907). Fadren/The Father (1887) and Fröken Julie/Miss Julie (1888) are among his best-known works.

Born in Stockholm, he lived mainly abroad after 1883, having been unsuccessfully prosecuted for blasphemy in 1884 following publication of his short stories Giftas/Marrying. His life was stormy and his work has been criticized for its hostile attitude to women, but he is regarded as one of Sweden's greatest writers.

His prose works include the satirical novel Röda rummet/The Red Room (1879), about bohemian life in Stockholm, and the autobiography Tjänstekvinnans son/The Son of a Servant (1886).