Portal:Literature/Biography archive/2006, Week 47

Selma Lagerlöf (November 20, 1858 – March 16, 1940) was a Swedish author, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1909.

Known internationally for Nils Holgerssons underbara resa genom Sverige (a story for children, in translation The wonderful adventures of Nils Holgersson), and awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1909 (the first woman and the first Swedish person ever so honored) "in appreciation of the lofty idealism, vivid imagination and spiritual perception that characterize her writings." Other important works of hers include Gösta Berling's Saga and The Treasure.

Her portrait has been featured on the Swedish 20 krona bill since 1991.