Henrik Steffens (1773 – 1845), was a Norwegian philosopher, scientist, and poet. Born in Stavanger, he moved to Copenhagen at the age of 14, with his family. Here, he studied theology and natural science. In 1796, he lectured at the University of Kiel, and in 1798, he went toJena to study the natural philosophy of Friedrich Schelling. In 188, he went to Freiberg, and in 1802 returned to Copenhagen, where he gave his legendary nine lectures at Elers Kollegium. These were published in 1803 as "Intrduktion til Philosophiske Forelæsninger" (Introduction to Philosophical Lectures). These lectures were groundbreaking in several regards and brought novel romanticist ideas to Denmark. They werre hugely succesful and came to influence the greatest thinkers of the Danish Golden Age, such as Oehlenschläger and Grundtvig. Friedrich Schleiermacher was so struck by the excellence of the lectures that he endeavoured to obtain for Steffens a chair in the new Berlin University in 1804, in order for his own ethical teachings to be supported in the scientific department.