Carl Ewald

Carl Ewald was a Danish novelist, essayist, and satirist best remembered for his literary fairy tales and subtle social commentary. Born on October 15, 1856, in the Duchy of Schleswig, he was the son of Herman Frederik Ewald, a clergyman and writer. His early life was shaped by Denmark's political tensions and cultural shifts, which later influenced his satirical tone. Educated in Copenhagen, he initially pursued a career in forestry before turning to literature full time. His prose is characterized by clarity, irony, and a blend of whimsy with pointed critique, often using allegory to reflect on societal hypocrisy and human frailty. Ewald s fairy tales were not solely for children; they carried layers of meaning that appealed to adult readers and explored questions of morality, tradition, and individuality. His private life was complex he had two sons, Jesper Ewald and Poul Henningsen, the latter becoming a renowned architect and critic. Though Ewald died relatively young at 51 in Charlottenlund on February 23, 1908, his influence endured through his descendants and his sharp yet elegant body of work, which remains part of Danish literary heritage.