Frans Hedberg

• Name — Frans Hedberg • Pen Name — Esbern Snare Palle Block Paul Qvitt • Birth Name — Frans Theodor Hedberg • Born — 2 March 1828 • Birthplace — Stockholm, Sweden • Place of death — Vaxholm, Sweden • Died — 8 June 1908 • Occupation — Playwright, poet

He was born at Stockholm, Sweden. After growing up in an orphanage he tried various professions, including that of actor and wig-maker, before he set seriously to work as a playwright in 1854. Afterwards he was appointed a reader, and then teacher, at the Royal Theatre in Stockholm (1861), and later director of the New Theatre, Gothenburg (1881). In 1883 he gave up this position to devote himself entirely to writing. His works include comedies, tragedies, adaptations, translations, vaudevilles, and poems. The best known of his plays is Bröllopet på Ulfåsa (The Wedding at Ulfåsa; 1865). He also wrote Svenska skådespelare: karakteristiker och porträtter (Swedish Actors: Characteristics and Portraits, 1884) and Svenska operasångare: karakteristiker och porträtter (Swedish Opera Singers: Characteristics and Portraits, 1885) as well as other works dealing with theater subjects.

He also worked under the name Esbern Snare. The authorities additionally record the headings Esbern Snare, Palle Block, Paul Qvitt and Frans Theodor Hedberg. His recorded language was Swedish. He married Amanda Broman. 3 children are recorded: Walborg Hedberg, Tor Harald Hedberg and Bengt Hedberg.