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(born 1821), besides being well known as a student of Norse and Danish literary history, is a distinguished lyric poet. Rasmus Christian Rask (1787-1832) is one of the greatest philologists of the present century. He also wrote on the antiquities of Iceland and on the age and antiquity of the Zendavesta, besides publishing an edition of the Edda. Among scientific writers who have contributed to the world's progress, mention should be made of Heinrich Christian Schumacher, the astronomer (1780-1850), and J. F. Schouw, the physicist and geographer (died 1852). Hans Christian Oersted (1777-1851) has a world-wide reputation as the discoverer of electro-magnetism. His best known work, Aanden i Naturen (“The Soul in Nature”), has been translated into all European languages. His brother, Anders Sandoe Oersted (1778-1830), is known as a writer on jurisprudence and diplomacy. In Denmark, as in other lands, the novel takes a foremost place in the literature of the present day. The most celebrated Danish novelist of our time is Hans Christian Andersen (born 1805). His best works, however, are his short fairy tales. His imagination and humor place these among the most charming of writings, and they are translated into all European tongues. His novels are less successful, though not without merit. He has also written lyrical pieces and dramas. Other modern novelists are Steen Steensen Blicher (died 1848), who describes the customs and characteristics of the Jutland people with much beauty; Waldemar Adolf Thisted, better known under the pseudonyme of Emanuel St. Hermidad (born 1815); and Wilhelm Bergsoe (born 1835), whose Fra Piazza del Popolo, published in 1866, has given him a high reputation, and whose works are promptly reproduced in other languages.—The principal works not already mentioned on the history of Danish literature are Kraft and Nyerup's Almindeligt Literatur-Lexicon (3 vols., 1774-'84); Erslew's Almindeligt Forfatter Lexicon (5 vols., 1841-'60); Overskou's Den danske Skueplads i dens Historie (4 vols., 1859-'62); and Bibliotheca Danica, a systematic catalogue of Danish literature from 1482, the date of the first printed book, to 1830, including Icelandic and Norwegian books (Copenhagen, 1870).
DENNER, Balthasar, a German portrait painter, born in Hamburg in 1685, died there, April 14, 1747. He was employed by Frederick the Great and other German princes, and was invited by George I. to England, where he met with little encouragement. His chief merit consists in the mechanical finish of his pictures, some of which require to be examined with a magnifying glass in order that the labors of the artist may be appreciated. In his head of an old woman in the gallery of Vienna the down on the cheeks and the pores of the skin are represented with scrupulous exactness. This picture was purchased by the emperor Charles VI. for 4,700 imperial florins, and the artist was commissioned to furnish a companion piece of an old man, which is not less carefully finished. His pictures were in great request in his day and brought very high prices.
DENNIE, Joseph, an American author and journalist, born in Boston, Aug. 30, 1768, died in Philadelphia, Jan. 7, 1812. He graduated at Harvard college in 1790, and studied law at Charlestown, N. H., where he was admitted to the bar. He read the Episcopal service to members of that communion at Claremont, and was urged to enter holy orders, with the promise of a settlement. In 1795, having acquired some reputation by literary contributions to various newspapers, under the title of “The Farrago,” he became connected with a weekly journal published in Boston, called the “Tablet.” This publication survived but three months, and in the summer of 1795 Dennie removed to Walpole, N. H., and became editor of the “Farmer's Weekly Museum,” which attained extensive popularity under his management. His most notable contributions were a series of essays entitled “The Lay Preacher.” The articles were discursive and lively, were widely copied by the newspapers of the Union, and gave their author a high reputation as a graceful and humorous essayist. The publisher became bankrupt in 1798, and Dennie was induced to become a candidate for congress, but was defeated. In 1799 he went to Philadelphia to fill the position of confidential secretary to Timothy Pickering, then secretary of state. He remained in this office but a few months, and after editing for a short time the “United States Gazette,” on Jan. 1, 1801, he commenced, in conjunction with Asbury Dickins, the publication in Philadelphia of the “Port Folio,” originally a weekly, but subsequently a monthly journal, in which he adopted the editorial cognomen of “Oliver Old-school.” The “Port Folio” was the vehicle of frequent communications from John Quincy Adams (whose letters from Silesia were originally published in it), Horace Binney, Judge Hopkinson, Robert Walsh, Charles Brockden Brown, and other literary men, and maintained for many years a high reputation. He continued to be connected with the “Port Folio” until his death, and was highly esteemed for his social qualities as well as for his literary abilities. He was the originator of the “Tuesday Club.”
DENNIS, a town of Barnstable co., Mass., on Cape Cod, about 65 m. S. E. of Boston; pop. in 1870, 3,269. It extends entirely across the peninsula, here 8 m. wide, and is separated from Yarmouth by Bass river. It contains a number of churches and schools. Most of the inhabitants are engaged in commerce, ship building, and fishing. About 50 vessels are annually employed in cod and mackerel fishing, and 80 or 90 in the coasting trade. The Cape Cod railroad passes through the town.
DENNIS, John, an English writer, born in London in 1657, died Jan. 6, 1734. He was the
