Steen Eiler Rasmussen

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Steen Eiler Rasmussen (1898-1990) was a Danish architect and town-planner, professor at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, and a prolific writer of books and poetry. Like his compatriots Hans Christian Andersen and Johannes Vilhelm Jensen he traveled extensively, and his observations often became basis for his writings. His bibliography (1973) lists 536 items.

One of his most important books was London. It was first published in Danish in 1934, in English (as London, the Unique City) in 1937. When this edition was re-issued in 1948, Rasmussen had added two Postscripts: "For English readers only", and "For American readers only". A shorter version was published as a paperback in 1960.

Other influential books by are Towns and Buildings (1951), and Experiencing Architecture (1959).

It has been stated that every English and American city-planner knows his "Rasmussen". Among his many friends was Edmund N. Bacon.

In 1942 Rasmussen (together with his colleague Kay Fisker) educated Jørn Utzon, the world-renowned architect and creator of the Sydney Opera House. He is the father of Danish linguist Una Canger.