Wied, Gustav

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Gustav Wied (gŏŏs´täf vēth), 1858–1914, Danish novelist, playwright, and short-story writer. Wied was celebrated as a humorist. His vision of humanity was cynical and bitter, reflected in his writing by an amused, scornful tone, somewhat tempered with compassion. Among his best-known works are the novels Livsens Ondskab [life's malice] (1899) and Knagsted (1902); Dansemus [dancing mice] (1905), a play; and Circus Mundi (1909), a collection of short stories.