Strindberg, August

Johan August Strindberg was a Swedish author born in Stockholm to a large middle-class family. His father was head of the commercial steamer traffic on Lake Mälaren and the Göta Canal. His mother, Eleonora Ulrika Norling, had been waitress and a maid. She was Carl Oscar’s housekeeper at the time of their marriage in 1847. Two boys had been born by then. In 1851 and 1856 the family moved to a new home. Weakened by constant pregnancies, Strindberg’s mother died of tuberculosis during childbirth. A year later his father married the thirty years younger Emilia Charlotta Peterson, whom August came to detest. A quiet child, August spent most of his time reading, studying natural sciences and growing flowers. He grew up in a pious, but musical, home. August’s relationship with his strict father was troubled, and it grew worse after the death of his mother.