Introduction

Biography

Erik was the son of Ludvig Hen­rik­sen Pon­top­pi­dan and Else So­phie Spend. He mar­ried three times: to Fran­cis­ca Tox­verd (Oc­to­ber 26, 1723), El­li­na Dan­iel­sen (Sep­tem­ber 4, 1731, Søn­der­borg), and In­ge­borg Thom­sen (Feb­ru­ary 16, 1745).

A Pie­tist, he be­gan stu­dy­ing theo­lo­gy at age 20.

He was a pri­vate tu­tor for (among oth­ers) the Duke of Pløn. He was a min­is­ter at Nord­borg Cas­tle; vi­car at Als; min­is­ter at the roy­al court in Co­pen­ha­gen; Bi­shop of Ber­gen, Norway (1747–54); and pro-chan­cel­lor at the Uni­vers­ity of Co­pen­ha­gen (1754).

Works

• Sandhed til Gud­frygtighed, 1737 (ed­it­or)
• Den Nye Psalme­bog, 1740
• Fejekost
• Oppvćkkelige Hyr­de­breve
• Glossarium Norwa­gi­cum
• Norges na­tur­lige His­to­rie
• Den danske At­las
• Danmarks og Nor­ges řko­no­miske Ma­ga­zin