August Stringberg was a novelist, poet, playwright, and painter, and is considered to be the father of modern Swedish literature, publishing the country's first modern novel, The Red Room, in 1879. Strindberg was prolific, penning more than 90 works--including plays, novels, and non-fiction--over the course of his career. However, he is best-known for his dramatic works, many of which have been met with international acclaim, including The Father, Miss Julie (Miss Julia), Creditors, and A Dream Play. Strindberg died in 1912 following a short illness, but his work continues to inspire later playwrights and authors including Tennessee Williams, Maxim Gorky, and Eugene O'Neill.

Annie Bourguignon is an emeritus professor at the University Nancy 2, specialised in Scandinavian literature and comparative literature.

Annie Bourguignon is an emeritus professor at the University Nancy 2, specialised in Scandinavian literature and comparative literature.