Selma Lagerlöf

Selma Ottilia Lovisa Lagerlöf was born on 20 November 1858 in Sweden. She published her first novel, Gösta Berling's Saga, at 33, launching a writing career that would redefine what was possible for women in letters. In 1909 the Nobel committee awarded her its literature prize — no woman had received it before. Five years later, in 1914, the Swedish Academy granted her membership, again a first for a woman. She continued writing until her death on 16 March 1940, having spent three decades as proof that the door, once opened, would not close again.