Preface xiii desired—but although conscious of such a possibiHty I have decided to publish it in Swedish for two reasons : first, because I desire to give it as a preparatory study for future biographers; and secondly because I have so long and so indignantly listened to the per- sonal slander by which flippancy and malice have, to a certain extent, limited the influence of Ellen Key's words. This book has become a matter of conscience with me. In the following pages I have tried to give a true picture of the woman, Ellen Key, not a study of her literary works. The latter are only mentioned in so far as they have seemed to me to throw light upon her character. Louise Nystrom-Hamilton. Stockholm, October, 1904.