Sara Danius facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sara Maria Danius
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Danius in 2017
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| Born |
Sara Maria Danius
5 April 1962 Täby, Sweden
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| Died | 12 October 2019 (aged 57) Stockholm, Sweden
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| Alma mater | Uppsala University Duke University University of Nottingham Stockholm University |
| Spouse(s) |
Stefan Jonsson
(m. 1989–2010) |
| Institutions | Swedish Academy Södertörn University Uppsala University Stockholm University |
| Member of the Swedish Academy (Seat No. 7) |
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| In office 20 December 2013 – 26 February 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Knut Ahnlund |
| Succeeded by | Åsa Wikforss |
| Permament Secretary of the Swedish Academy |
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| In office May 2015 – April 2018 |
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| Preceded by | Peter Englund |
| Succeeded by | Anders Olsson |
Sara Maria Danius (born April 5, 1962 – died October 12, 2019) was a Swedish expert in literature and art. She was a literary critic, which means she wrote reviews and analyses of books. She was also a philosopher, someone who studies big ideas about life and knowledge.
Danius was a professor of aesthetics (the study of beauty and art) at Södertörn University. She was also a docent (a high academic title) of literature at Uppsala University and a professor of literary science (the study of literature) at Stockholm University.
She became a member of the Swedish Academy, a group that chooses the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature. Sara Danius was the first woman to become its permanent secretary, a very important leadership role. She was involved in the events of 2018 that led to the Nobel Prize in Literature being postponed that year. This also led to big changes within the Swedish Academy.
Early Life and School
Sara Danius was born to author Anna Wahlgren and Lars Danius. She was the oldest of nine brothers and sisters. She went to Åva gymnasium in Täby, Sweden, where she studied natural science.
Sara was a talented basketball player. She played in Elitserien, which is the top basketball league in Sweden. She continued to play basketball for fun throughout her life. In 1981 and 1982, she worked as a certified croupier and dealer at casinos in Stockholm.
She graduated from Stockholm University in 1986. She then earned her Master of Arts degree in critical theory (a way of analyzing society and culture) from the University of Nottingham in 1989. Sara lived in the United States for ten years. In 1997, she earned a PhD from Duke University. She also received another PhD from Uppsala University in 1999. She wrote about how literature and society are connected. She also studied famous writers like Marcel Proust, Gustave Flaubert, and James Joyce.
Her Career
From 1986, Sara Danius worked as a literary critic for the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter. In 2008, she became a professor of aesthetics at Södertörn University. She also became a docent of literature at Uppsala University.
In 2010, she joined the Royal Swedish Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities. In 2013, she became a professor of literary science at Stockholm University.
"Perseverance, self-criticism, inquisitiveness. I'm not particularly curious, but I can become obsessed with certain things. I have realized I'm something of a nerd."
In March 2013, Sara Danius was chosen to join the Swedish Academy. She took over Seat No. 7 from Knut Ahnlund. She officially became a member on December 20, 2013. On June 1, 2015, she became the permanent secretary of the academy, taking over from Peter Englund.
She played a key role when the Nobel Prize in Literature was given to Bob Dylan. This was the first time a musician and songwriter won the Nobel Prize in Literature. This decision caused some discussion, especially among writers who felt that Dylan's work was not as literary as others.
Sara Danius was asked to step down from her role as permanent secretary. She left the academy on April 12, 2018. The Nobel Prize in Literature was not awarded that year, and the academy went through many changes. On February 26, 2019, she also resigned from her seat in the Swedish Academy.
Personal Life
Sara Danius loved fashion. At the Nobel Banquets, she wore special dresses designed by Pär Engsheden. These dresses were inspired by three authors she admired: Marcel Proust, Honoré de Balzac, and Virginia Woolf. Her favorite clothing item was a pussy bow blouse. This type of blouse became a symbol for people who supported her during the Swedish Academy events.
From 1989 to 2010, she was married to the author Stefan Jonsson. They had one son named Leo.
Sara Danius passed away on October 12, 2019, at the age of 57. She had been battling breast cancer for several years.
See also
In Spanish: Sara Danius para niños
