Editing Ludvig Holberg (section)

== Studies and teaching ==
Holberg was the youngest of six brothers. His father, [[Christian Nielsen Holberg]], died before Ludvig was one year old. He was educated in [[Copenhagen]], and was a teacher at the [[University of Copenhagen]] for many years. At the same time, he started his successful career as an author, writing the first of a series of comedies.

He began to study theology at the University of Copenhagen and later taught himself law, history and language. He was not particularly interested in theology as a career, settling for an ''attestats'' (similar to a [[Bachelor's degree]] today), which gave him the right to work as a priest; he did not attempt a [[baccalaureus]], [[Magister (degree)|magister]] or [[doctorate]] in the subject, nor did he follow a career as a theology professor, priest, or bishop. In Holberg's youth, it was common to study theology and specialize according to one's degree, for example in Greek, Latin, philosophy or history. For the purpose of becoming a lawyer, it was normal to study abroad. In 1736 the Danish Lawyer degree was established at the University of Copenhagen, a degree which continued to be granted for 200 years, and for which Holberg's writings remained common reading material throughout this time. Holberg was formally appointed assistant professor after having first worked as one without pay. He had to accept the first available position, which was teaching [[metaphysics]]. Later, he became a professor and taught [[rhetoric]] and [[Latin]]. Finally, he was given a professorship in the subject which he prized most and was most productive in, history.

Holberg was well-educated and well-traveled. In his adolescence, he visited large cities in countries such as the [[Dutch Republic|Netherlands]] and France, and lived for a short period of time in [[Rome]]; and for a longer period of time in [[Oxford]], England (1706–1708), which was rare during that time as intellectual life was centered in continental Europe. He was not formally admitted to [[Oxford University]], but spent his time there using the libraries and participating in Latin discussions with the English students.