Dictionary.net

The foremost of Danish lyric poets; born at Copenhagen, Nov. 18, 1743; died March 17, 1781. When a boy he ran away to the army, and was in several battles of the Seven Years' War; returning, studied for the Lutheran ministry; then gave himself to studying poetry and drama. He produced "The Temple of Fortune" (1764); the "Dirge-Cantata on the Death of Frederic V". (1766); the drama "Adam and Eve" (1765, remodeled 1769), with fine lyric interludes. His finest plays are "Balder's Death" (1773) and "The Fishers" (1778). In the latter occurs the lyric "King Christian stood by the lofty mast", which is now the Danish national song. "The Brutal Clacqueurs" (1771) and "Harlequin the Patriot" (1772) were successful farces. He left a notable autobiography, "J. Ewald's Life and Opinions".