Ditmar Meidell
Encyclopedia
Ditmar Meidell is a Norwegian magazine and newspaper editor.
He was born in Bergen
as a son of Lieutenant Colonel and customs inspector Christopher Pritzier Meidell (1783–1851) Laura Fogh (1793–1864). He tried to get into the Norwegian Military Academy
, but failed the admission test. He studied mineralogy
for a short time before founding the satirical magazine Krydseren
together with Gudbrand Andreas Berg, Jakob Thomas Rørdam and Claudius Schive in 1849. Hartvig Lassen
, Anton Rosing, Halvor Bentsen, Hans Brun and especially Ole Richter
were also part of the milieu around the magazine. Norway's first satirical magazine, it was first issued fortnightly, but then weekly and later twice a week. Meidell was the sole editor-in-chief from 1851. Among his contributions as a writer, he is remembered for the song Oleanna
. He published collections of writings, Krydserviser in 1882 and then Paa Kryds og paa Tværs in two volumes in 1888 and 1889.
On 1 January 1855, Krydseren ended and in its place came the newspaper Aftenbladet
. Meidell edited the newspaper together with Børge Hjelm, then with Ole Richter, then with Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson
. Bjørnson did not last for long in Aftenbladet because of political differences, but wrote in 1870 that Meidell was "the finest and wittiest pen" in Norwegian journalism. From 1860 to 1879 Meidell was the sole editor. However, his successor J. Sandberg soon died, and Meidell was again editor from 1880 to 1881, when the newspaper became defunct. From 1884 to 1885 Meidell published a periodical named Norsk Maanedsskrift for Literatur, Kunst og Politik. Despite that Krydseren and Aftenbladet were liberal-leaning, Norsk Maanedsskrift has been called a "Conservative reply to Ernst Sars
' Nyt Tidsskrift
". Meidell was also head librarian at the Deichman Library
from 1884 to 1898.
In July 1868 in Hommedal Meidell married vicar's daughter Thora Houge (1843–1924). He died in July 1900 in Kristiania
.
He was born in Bergen
Bergen
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway with a population of as of , . Bergen is the administrative centre of Hordaland county. Greater Bergen or Bergen Metropolitan Area as defined by Statistics Norway, has a population of as of , ....
as a son of Lieutenant Colonel and customs inspector Christopher Pritzier Meidell (1783–1851) Laura Fogh (1793–1864). He tried to get into the Norwegian Military Academy
Norwegian Military Academy
The Norwegian Army Academy was established in 1750. It is the oldest university-level educational institution in Norway, and one of the oldest active military academies in the world. Krigsskolen primarily educates officers for the Norwegian Army. There are separate academies for the Royal...
, but failed the admission test. He studied mineralogy
Mineralogy
Mineralogy is the study of chemistry, crystal structure, and physical properties of minerals. Specific studies within mineralogy include the processes of mineral origin and formation, classification of minerals, their geographical distribution, as well as their utilization.-History:Early writing...
for a short time before founding the satirical magazine Krydseren
Krydseren
Krydseren was a Norwegian satirical magazine.It was established in 1849 by Ditmar Meidell, and published by Christian Schibsted. It is regarded as the first satirical magazine in Norway. Ahead the year 1855 it became defunct, as the satirical magazine was turned into a newspaper of the name...
together with Gudbrand Andreas Berg, Jakob Thomas Rørdam and Claudius Schive in 1849. Hartvig Lassen
Hartvig Lassen
Hartvig Marcus Lassen was a Norwegian editor and literary historian.-Personal life:He was born in Bergen as a son of police chief and burgomaster Albert Lassen and his wife Abigael Vogt Monrad . He was a nephew of Lars Monrad and Christian Lassen...
, Anton Rosing, Halvor Bentsen, Hans Brun and especially Ole Richter
Ole Richter
Ole Jørgensen Richter was a Norwegian lawyer, politician, parliamentarian and Prime Minister of the Norwegian Government in Stockholm....
were also part of the milieu around the magazine. Norway's first satirical magazine, it was first issued fortnightly, but then weekly and later twice a week. Meidell was the sole editor-in-chief from 1851. Among his contributions as a writer, he is remembered for the song Oleanna
Oleanna (song)
Oleanna is a Norwegian folk song that was translated into English and popularized by former Weavers member Pete Seeger. The song is a critique of Ole Bull's vision of a perfect society in America. Oleanna was actually the name of one of Ole Bull's settlements in the New Norway colony of Pennsylvania...
. He published collections of writings, Krydserviser in 1882 and then Paa Kryds og paa Tværs in two volumes in 1888 and 1889.
On 1 January 1855, Krydseren ended and in its place came the newspaper Aftenbladet
Aftenbladet
Aftenbladet was a daily newspaper in Oslo, Norway.It was established in 1855 as a continuation of the satirical magazine Krydseren, and had the same editor-in-chief, Ditmar Meidell, for its entire existence except for a short time when J. F. Sandberg edited the newspaper...
. Meidell edited the newspaper together with Børge Hjelm, then with Ole Richter, then with Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson
Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson
Bjørnstjerne Martinius Bjørnson was a Norwegian writer and the 1903 Nobel Prize in Literature laureate. Bjørnson is considered as one of The Four Greats Norwegian writers; the others being Henrik Ibsen, Jonas Lie, and Alexander Kielland...
. Bjørnson did not last for long in Aftenbladet because of political differences, but wrote in 1870 that Meidell was "the finest and wittiest pen" in Norwegian journalism. From 1860 to 1879 Meidell was the sole editor. However, his successor J. Sandberg soon died, and Meidell was again editor from 1880 to 1881, when the newspaper became defunct. From 1884 to 1885 Meidell published a periodical named Norsk Maanedsskrift for Literatur, Kunst og Politik. Despite that Krydseren and Aftenbladet were liberal-leaning, Norsk Maanedsskrift has been called a "Conservative reply to Ernst Sars
Ernst Sars
Johan Ernst Welhaven Sars was a Norwegian historian, publicist and editor. His main work was Udsigt over den norske Historie, four volumes issued from 1873 to 1891. He co-edited the magazines Nyt norsk Tidskrift from 1877 to 1878, and Nyt Tidsskrift from 1882 to 1887...
' Nyt Tidsskrift
Nyt Tidsskrift
Nyt Tidsskrift is a former Norwegian literary, cultural and political magazine issued from 1882 to 1887, and with a second series from 1892 to 1895. The magazine had contributions from severeal of the leading intellectuals of the time, including later Nobel Literature Prize laureate Bjørnstjerne...
". Meidell was also head librarian at the Deichman Library
Oslo Public Library
Oslo Public Library, formally known as the Deichman Library , is the municipal public library serving Oslo, Norway.It is the country's first and largest library. In addition to the main office, it has sixteen branches throughout the city. It also contains several that serve the whole country,...
from 1884 to 1898.
In July 1868 in Hommedal Meidell married vicar's daughter Thora Houge (1843–1924). He died in July 1900 in Kristiania
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
.