Sara Danius, Dies Aged 57

Hello Gentle Reader

Sara Danius made history by becoming the first woman Permanent Secretary of the Swedish Academy in two-thousand and fifteen. Her tenure as Permanent Secretary was unfortunately cut short due to the infamous scandal. Despite this Sara Danius provided a unique flare to the role of Permanent Secretary of the Swedish Academy. Previously the role carried the dry monotone pallet of an erudite, perturbed intellectual, who grumbled their way down from the ivory tower to interact with the mortals below. This changed with Peter Englund, noted for his personable abilities, and willingness to engage with people; while Sara Danius in turn brought a certain style, flare, and uniquely fashionable sensibility to the proceedings. I remember in two-thousand and fifteen with her debut as Permanent Secretary, she made the announcement that the Belarusian documentary writer and journalist, Svetlana Alexievich was named as the years Laureate in Literature. Sara Danius executed her function perfectly. When she greeted the journalists in the great hall, Sara Danius held her composure offering a short pause before overseeing the proceedings. As master of ceremonies she conducted the event with exceptional grace, composure and professionalism. Even when she had difficulty in pronouncing Svetlana Alexievich, she never grew flustered or frustrated; she paused and worked out the syllables silently, before resuming speaking. During the Nobel Ceremonies, Sara Danius proved herself to be a fashion icon! Her evening gowns were stunning and bold. They always brought in needed colour to an otherwise monotone affair.

Beyond being the Permanent Secretary of the Swedish Academy, Sara Danius was a professor of aesthetics, and later professor of literature at Stockholm University. Danius’s educational background included a Master of Arts in Critical Theory, and two Ph.D.’s, one from Duke University (1997) and another in Uppsala University (1999). She published numerous essays on the relationship between literature and society; and wrote extensively about Marcel Proust, Gustav Flaubert, and James Joyce. Her last publication was about Bob Dylan. Though the work is in Swedish, I suspect it is about the literary value and importance of winning the Nobel Prize for Literature. I admire Sara Danius, but my opinion won’t change on the Bob Dylan affair.

To give insight into Sara Danius’s character one need look no further than an interview with Tidningen Curie back in two-thousand and thirteen before she was inducted into the Swedish Academy. When asked what qualities have been most important to her career, Sara Danius responded:

“Endurance, self-criticism, questionability. I'm not very curious, but I do get obsessed with certain things. I have realized that I am something of a nerd.”

The response only shows her warmth and sense of humour, the hallmarks of what made her an appealing Permanent Secretary.

The only comment that should be made on the previous scandal, which not only saw Sara Danius resign from her position as Permanent Secretary of the Swedish Academy, but also the institution as a whole, is how graceful, proud, and honorable she walked when she left the academy. Journalists swarmed her, but Danius walked with her held high, smiled and answered their questions with dignity. Not once did Sara Danius showcase any acerbic vitriol, resentment, or bitterness towards the academy in that moment. She took her leave with graceful integrity, and showed the world how she was the bigger person. Something I believe more people should aspire to do.

Sadly, Sara Danius passed away this past weekend from an extended battle with breast cancer, at the tender age of fifty-seven. Many have offered remarks of sadness in the wake of the academic, writer, and essayists passing; including His Majesty, King Carl XVI Gustaf, who remembers Sara Danius fondly and warmly, and passes on his deepest sympathies to her family.

I hope the Swedish Academy does the honorable act of sharing their condolences, regardless of the terms in which they too may have departed, Sara Danius was a part of the academy, and performed the obligations of Permanent Secretary exceptionally well. If Sture Allen, Horace Engdahl, and Göran Malmqvist have nothing to say on the matter, then they can keep their fork tongues behind their teeth.

Rest in Peace, Sara Danius. Your absence I am sure will be felt in the Swedish cultural and academic world.

Thank-you For Reading Gentle Reader

Take Care

And As Always

Stay Well Read

M. Mary