Documents regarding Ernesto Dalgas

Authors

  • Knud Bjarne Gjesing

Keywords:

Ernesto Dalgas, Religion and Natural Science, Naturalism, Insanity, Masturbation

Abstract

The Danish writer Ernesto Dalgas (1871-99) was a naturalist and an atheist, inspired by modern positivistic natural science. At the same time, however, he had a deeply religious mind. His tormented mind led him several times into insanity. In this article four documents relating to Dalgas’ mental health are reproduced. They have been handed over to me by the late literary scholar Henrik Schovsbo (1938-2020), and none of them have previously been printed. Documents I and II are medical records from 1893 and 1898, when Dalgas was a patient in mental hospitals. Document III and IV are Dalgas’ own reflections on his illness and its connection to e.g. masturbation. Dalgas finally committed suicide. The clash between religion and natural science which characterized the spiritual life in this period was for him a painful personal experience.

Author Biography

Knud Bjarne Gjesing

Foredragsholder, fhv. adjunkt, Syddansk Universitet

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Published

2025-04-07

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Section

Artikler