Advertisement

Sexual misconduct scandal prompts head of Swedish Academy, which awards Nobel Literature Prize, to quit

The Academy, which in under the direct patronage of the Swedish king, is traditionally very discreet and has been deeply shaken by the scandal

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Professor Sara Danius. Photo: AP

The Swedish Academy, which awards the Nobel Literature Prize, was plunged into crisis on Thursday after two of its members, including its head Sara Danius, resigned on Thursday, amid a growing crisis over a high-profile man accused of sexual assaults.

Advertisement

“It is the Academy’s wish that I leave my post as permanent secretary,” Danius said after an emergency meeting of academy members in Stockholm. “I would have liked to have continued, but there are other things to do in life.”

Also stepping down is Academy member Katarina Frostenson, a Swedish writer.

The resignations come after the daily Dagens Nyheter in November published statements from 18 women, alleging they had been subject to harassment and physical abuse by the accused man.

The academy has since severed all ties with him and cut grants made to him. It has also launched an internal investigation and enlisted the services of a law firm.

Advertisement

The Academy, which comes under the direct patronage of the Swedish king, is traditionally very discreet and has been deeply shaken by the scandal.

Advertisement