Swedish Academy

Swedish Academy
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Formation	1786
Type	Learned society
Headquarters	Stockholm, Sweden
Membership	N/A
Language	Swedish
Leader title	N/A
Leader name	N/A
Website	www.svenskaakademien.se

The Swedish Academy (Swedish: Svenska Akademien) is a prestigious learned society in Sweden, founded in 1786 by King Gustav III of Sweden. The Academy is known for its role in maintaining the purity, strength, and sublimity of the Swedish language, as well as for awarding the Nobel Prize in Literature.

History

The Swedish Academy was established on April 5, 1786, by King Gustav III, who was inspired by the Académie Française. The founding of the Academy was part of Gustav III's broader cultural policy to promote the arts and sciences in Sweden. The Academy was tasked with the responsibility of developing the Swedish language and literature.

Structure and Membership

The Academy consists of 18 members, known as "De Aderton" ("The Eighteen"), who are elected for life. Members are chosen from among Sweden's most distinguished authors, linguists, and scholars. The Academy's membership is exclusive, and vacancies are filled by election among the current members.

Functions

The primary functions of the Swedish Academy include:

• Language Development: The Academy is responsible for the publication of the "Svenska Akademiens ordlista" (SAOL), a comprehensive dictionary of the Swedish language, and the "Svenska Akademiens grammatik" (SAG), a detailed grammar of Swedish.

• Literary Awards: The Academy awards several literary prizes, the most notable being the Nobel Prize in Literature, which has been awarded annually since 1901. The Nobel Prize in Literature is one of the five original Nobel Prizes established by the will of Alfred Nobel.

• Cultural Promotion: The Academy supports Swedish literature and culture through various grants and awards.

Nobel Prize in Literature

The Nobel Prize in Literature is awarded annually by the Swedish Academy to an author, from any country, who has produced "in the field of literature the most distinguished work in an idealistic direction." The selection process is highly secretive, and the decision is made by the Academy's members.

Criticism and Controversies

The Swedish Academy has faced criticism and controversies over the years, particularly regarding its selection process for the Nobel Prize in Literature. In recent years, the Academy has also been involved in scandals that have led to resignations and reforms within the organization.

Also see

• Nobel Prize
• Académie Française
• Gustav III of Sweden
• Literary criticism
• Swedish language