Icelandic family, was born near Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland,
on June 8, 1888. He was graduated twenty-two years later from the
College of Reykjavik, where he received honoris causa in
literature and language, the first and only time this prize has
ever been awarded. While still at college, he was made assistant
editor of the best known newspaper in Iceland, edited by Bjorn
Jonsson, the late Prime Minister, in whose home Mr. Kamban lived
during his college career. In 1910, he proceeded to the University
of Copenhagen, where he specialized in literature and received his
Master's degree. In Copenhagen, Peter Jerndorff, the famous Acteur
Royal, practically regarded him as his own son. Under Jerndorff's
direction for five years, he obtained that thorough dramatic
education which is so essential to the fastidious Scandinavian
Theatre, and to which Ibsen also served an apprenticeship.

"Hadda Padda," Mr. Kamban's first dramatic work, was written in
Denmark in 1912, while he was still a student at the University of
Copenhagen. Originally written in Icelandic, it was translated
into Danish and submitted to the Royal Theatre, a fortress
difficult of access to the newcomer. This theatre did not even
fully recognise such masters as Ibsen and Bjornson until they
stood on the heights of achievement. Our author was but twenty-
four years old, unknown, and offering his first play.

From the outset "Hadda Padda" caused the directors unexpected
trouble. It took them four times as long as usual to come to a
decision. They finally accepted it "on account of its literary
merit," but without any obligation on their part to produce it, as
the scenery of the last act was of "such daring and dangerous
character."