WIED, GUSTAV

born March 6, 1858, Holmegaard, near Nakskov, Den. died Oct. 24, 1914, Roskilde in full Gustav Johannes Wied Danish dramatist, poet, novelist, and satirist chiefly remembered for a series of what he called satyr-dramas. Although Wied's satyr-dramas were meant to be read rather than performed, one, Skrmydsler (1901; Skirmishes), transcended the inherent difficulties of performance to become one of the great successes of the Royal Theatre. A few of his works, the play Ranke Viljer og 2 2 = 5 (1906; 2 2 = 5), and two collections of short stories, Menneskenes Brn (1894; Children of Men) and En Bohme (1894; A Bohemian), attained great popularity abroad. Wied committed suicide during the first year of World War I. His novels and bitterly humorous sketches still have considerable popularity in Denmark.