Rudolf Broby-Johansen

Rudolf Kristian Albert Broby-Johansen was a Danish art historian, avant-garde poet, journalist, provocateur, educator, communist activist and writer. Born in Aalborg, North Jutland to a working-class family, Broby-Johansen grew up in Lunde, Otterup Municipality, Funen. He published a poetry collection in 1922 called Blod ("Blood"), containing poems on the themes of misery and poverty as well as tabooed topics such as prostitution and necrophilia, was considered scandalous and confiscated by the authorities. However, it has gained long-lasting influence in Danish literature by influencing such poets as Michael Strunge and Yahya Hassan. Moreover, it is seen as a prime example of Danish modernist and expressionist poetry. He joined the Communist Party of Denmark (DKP) and became one of the key personalities behind several Danish left-wing journals such as Monde, Plan and Frem.