He entered the University of Copenhagen in 1858. After studying theology for a while he abandoned it for the study of history. From 1870-1875 he was assistant at the Danish “Geheimarchiv.” He was also appointed historiographer royal to the king of Denmark and Comptroller of the Order of the Dannebrog. Later, he was an instructor in history at the military school at Copenhagen. In 1888 he was made full professor of history, and produced many profound volumes mostly devoted to the subject of Scandinavian history during the sixteenth century.