In her old age, Agnes Henningsen wrote eight volumes of memoirs, which were published between 1941 and 1955, when she was between the ages of seventy-three and eighty-seven. In terms of quantity, Henningsen's memoirs constitute the largest autobiographical work in Danish literature; in terms of quality, it is one of the best written and most entertaining works in this genre. The volumes are pervaded by a sense of cheerfulness, zest for life, and inner strength, and they are considered Henningsen's major artistic achievement.

Agnes Kathinka Malling Andersen was born 18 November 1868 at Skovsbo, a landed estate near Kerteminde on the island of Fyn, and she is buried not far from there in the family plot in Rynkeby churchyard. Her parents were Peter Andersen and Ophelia Petra Amalia Cathinca Malling, who both belonged to families of landed proprietors, although neither was of aristocratic birth. Peter Andersen was not himself an independent landowner...