Birgitte Possing, Dr.phil. is a professor at Rigsarkivet [Danish National Archives] in Copenhagen, Denmark. In 1992, her award-winning dissertation -- a biography of Danish education pioneer Natalie Zahle -- was the subject of much interest and discussion throughout the Nordic region for its fresh and humanising approach to history. The book has been translated into English (2001). Having worked as the director of several Danish cultural and research institutions, Possing then returned to her own research into the international history and methodology of the biographical genre. She has since published numerous articles on the subject, and a number of short biographical analyses of prominent figures in the fields of politics, the arts, scholarship and education.