KINGO, THOMAS

born Dec. 15, 1634, Slangerup, Den. died Oct. 14, 1703, Odense clergyman and poet whose works are considered the high point of Danish Baroque poetry. His grandfather had come from Scotland, and his father was a weaver. In his youth, Kingo wrote a series of poems picturing humorous scenes in village life and a pastoral poem, Chrysillis. After graduating in theology, he taught briefly. In 1677 King Frederick III made Kingo bishop of Fyn. Thereafter, he wrote only occasional poetry in honour of the royal family, together with the hymns and religious poems that are the most enduring of his works. The latter were collected in two volumes, Aandeligt sjungekor (1674 and 1681; Spiritual Chorus). The best known are the morning and evening songs and Far, Verden, Farvel (Fare, World, Farewell). He is remembered today mainly for what is popularly known as Kingo's hymnbook, a collection that appeared in 1699 and contained at least 85 of his own poems. Kingo's hymns reveal his sense of the contrast between this world and heaven and are deeply personal in their realistic and suggestive use of language.