Background
Bergman was born in the city of Örebro on September 19, 1883. He was a son of a banker.
Bergman was born in the city of Örebro on September 19, 1883. He was a son of a banker.
Hjalmar studied at the University of Uppsala he traveled in Europe, spending long periods of time in Italy, where he began to write.
Hjalmar had a gift of creative fancy unusual in Swedish literature, and even as a child he often retired to a dream world of his own making, peopled with fantastic beings. After studying at the University of Uppsala he traveled in Europe, spending long periods of time in Italy, where he began to write. His poor eyesight aggravated his neurotic temperament, and without his wife's assiduous help he would perhaps never have made a career as an author. Well-earned recognition came to him at a rather late date. The province of Bergslagen was his particular domain; here, with a roguish sense of humor, a coarse materialism, and a grotesque fancy, Bergman created the imaginary city of Wadköping, which figures in Markurells i Wadköping (1919; God's Orchid, 1924), and Farmor och Vdar Herre (1921; Thy Rod and Thy Staff, 1937). Some of Bergman's novels were inspired by Sigmund Freud's psychoanalysis, notably Chefen fru Ingeborg (1924; The Head of the Firm, 1936). As a playwright, Bergman was an experimentalist of importance, especially in Herr Sleeman kommer (1917; Mr. Sleeman is Coming, 1944). His most successful plays were Patrasket (1928; "The Rabble") and Swedenhielms (1925). He died in Berlin, Germany, on January 1, 1931.
Hjalmar married Stina Lindberg, the daughter of actor and stage producer August Lindberg and Augusta Lindberg.