Hans Olav Lahlum
Encyclopedia
Hans Olav Lahlum is a Norwegian historian, crime author, chess player and organizer, and politician. He has written biographies on Oscar Torp
and Haakon Lie
, and a history book about all the US presidents
.
. He grew up in Rødøy
, a small community where he did not thrive; he called his own childhood "gloomy". Lahlum finished his master's degree in history from the University of Oslo
in 2002, including subjects in political science and history of religion. After completing his studies, he has been lecturer and advisor at the Lillehammer University College
.
His first biography was a 560-page book on former prime minister Oscar Torp
, and published in 2007. The book received a favorable review from Reiulf Steen
. The history book on the US presidents was published in 2008. The biography included regular biographical coverage of each president's policy, but also more "tabloid" coverage about matters such as relationship trouble and drinking habits. The conservative website Minerva
credited the book for good writing, and some balance, but found the coverage on George W. Bush
unbalanced.
Lahlum was in contact with the former Labour Party
secretary Haakon Lie
in the last years of his life, and worked with Hilde Harbo on publishing Lie's book Slik jeg ser det nå in 2008. In 2009 Lahlum published a full 848-page biography on the then late Lie, entitled Haakon Lie. Historien, mytene og mennesket (Haakon Lie, the history, the myths and the person). The book debunked several of the negative rumors surrounding Haakon Lie, including allegations that Lie was a CIA agent. The biography also found that Lie was highly critical of Thorbjørn Jagland
, Yngve Hågensen
, Trond Giske
and Helga Pedersen
.
Politically, Lahlum represents the Socialist Left Party
and has served as leader of their local chapter in Gjøvik
.
since 2000. Lahlum played in the top section of the Norwegian Chess Championship
in 2001, and was in the sole lead after four rounds, but a string of losses left him at +3=2-4 and 10th place in the end.
Lahlum plays for the chess club in Porsgrunn
, and has been captain for his club in team chess events. He is otherwise well known for organizing and arbitrating several tournaments. He was editor of the Norwegian Chess Federation's publication Norsk sjakkblad in 2006. Lahlum's style in organizing tournaments is also original, with round reports featuring a description of every game played, player portraits, and grading each player's performance.
. He has profiled some of this eccentricity in chess tournaments he organizes.
Oscar Torp
was a Norwegian politician for the Norwegian Labour Party. He was party leader from 1923 to 1945, and mayor of Oslo in 1935 and 1936. In 1935 he became acting Minister of Defence in the government of Johan Nygaardsvold. He was also Minister of Social Affairs from 1936 to 1939, and then Minister of...
and Haakon Lie
Haakon Lie
Haakon Lie was a Norwegian politician who served as party secretary for the Norwegian Labour Party from 1945 to 1969. Coming from humble origins, he became involved in the labour movement at an early age, and quickly rose in the party system...
, and a history book about all the US presidents
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
.
Career
Lahlum was born in Mo i RanaMo i Rana
Mo i Rana is a town in the municipality of Rana, Nordland, Norway, located just south of the Arctic Circle and in the region Helgeland. The town is called "Mo i Rana" to distinquish it from other places named Mo - most notably the town of Mosjøen, also in Helgeland - though locally the town is...
. He grew up in Rødøy
Rødøy
Rødøy is a municipality in Nordland county, Norway. It is part of the Helgeland traditional region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Vågaholmen. The municipality consists of islands outside Norway's second biggest glacier, Svartisen.Rødøy was established as a...
, a small community where he did not thrive; he called his own childhood "gloomy". Lahlum finished his master's degree in history from the University of Oslo
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
in 2002, including subjects in political science and history of religion. After completing his studies, he has been lecturer and advisor at the Lillehammer University College
Lillehammer University College
Lillehammer University College is a Norwegian state-run university college located at Storhove in Lillehammer. It was established in 1971 as Oppland College and took its current form in 1995. It is located in the television and radio center built for the 1994 Winter Olympic Games...
.
His first biography was a 560-page book on former prime minister Oscar Torp
Oscar Torp
was a Norwegian politician for the Norwegian Labour Party. He was party leader from 1923 to 1945, and mayor of Oslo in 1935 and 1936. In 1935 he became acting Minister of Defence in the government of Johan Nygaardsvold. He was also Minister of Social Affairs from 1936 to 1939, and then Minister of...
, and published in 2007. The book received a favorable review from Reiulf Steen
Reiulf Steen
Reiulf Steen is a Norwegian politician for the Norwegian Labour Party. He was active in the Norwegian Labour Party from 1958 to 1990, serving as deputy party chairman from 1965 to 1975 and chairman from 1975 to 1981....
. The history book on the US presidents was published in 2008. The biography included regular biographical coverage of each president's policy, but also more "tabloid" coverage about matters such as relationship trouble and drinking habits. The conservative website Minerva
Minerva (Norwegian periodical)
Minerva is a Norwegian liberal conservative periodical that started publishing in 1924. It was started by members of the Conservative Students' association in Oslo. In , Nils August Andresen is executive editor, Torbjørn Røe Isaksen editor on society, Kristian Meisingset on culture and Fredrik...
credited the book for good writing, and some balance, but found the coverage on George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
unbalanced.
Lahlum was in contact with the former Labour Party
Norwegian Labour Party
The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Norway. It is the senior partner in the current Norwegian government as part of the Red-Green Coalition, and its leader, Jens Stoltenberg, is the current Prime Minister of Norway....
secretary Haakon Lie
Haakon Lie
Haakon Lie was a Norwegian politician who served as party secretary for the Norwegian Labour Party from 1945 to 1969. Coming from humble origins, he became involved in the labour movement at an early age, and quickly rose in the party system...
in the last years of his life, and worked with Hilde Harbo on publishing Lie's book Slik jeg ser det nå in 2008. In 2009 Lahlum published a full 848-page biography on the then late Lie, entitled Haakon Lie. Historien, mytene og mennesket (Haakon Lie, the history, the myths and the person). The book debunked several of the negative rumors surrounding Haakon Lie, including allegations that Lie was a CIA agent. The biography also found that Lie was highly critical of Thorbjørn Jagland
Thorbjørn Jagland
is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party, currently serving as the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe...
, Yngve Hågensen
Yngve Hågensen
Yngve Hågensen is a retired Norwegian labour union leader.From an early age Hågensen has been active in Norwegian organization life and politics...
, Trond Giske
Trond Giske
Trond Giske is a Norwegian politician and the current Minister of Trade and Industry representing the Norwegian Labour Party in the government headed by Jens Stoltenberg....
and Helga Pedersen
Helga Pedersen (Norway)
Helga Pedersen is the deputy leader for the Norwegian Labour Party.From April to October 2001, during the first cabinet Stoltenberg, she was appointed political advisor in the Ministry of Industry and Trade. In 2005, during the second cabinet Stoltenberg, she was appointed Minister of Fisheries...
.
Politically, Lahlum represents the Socialist Left Party
Socialist Left Party (Norway)
The Socialist Left Party or SV, is a Norwegian left-wing political party. At one point one of the smallest parties in Parliament, it became the fourth-largest political party in Norway for the first time in the 2001 parliamentary election, and has been so ever since...
and has served as leader of their local chapter in Gjøvik
Gjøvik
is a town and a municipality in Oppland county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Gjøvik.In 1861, the village of Gjøvik in the municipality of Vardal was granted town status and was separated from Vardal to form a separate municipality...
.
Crime author
Lahlum published his first crime novel Human Flies (In Norwegian: Menneskefluene) in 2010, and Satelittmenneskene in 2011. Both novels are written in classical style, take place in the late 1960s, and feature the inspector Kolbein Kristiansen as the protagonist.Chess player and organizer
Lahlum is an active chess player with a FIDE rating of 2204 as of November 2009, and he has been an International ArbiterInternational Arbiter
In chess, International Arbiter is a title awarded by FIDE to individuals deemed capable of acting as arbiter in important chess matches . The title was established in 1951....
since 2000. Lahlum played in the top section of the Norwegian Chess Championship
Norwegian Chess Championship
The Norwegian Chess Championship is an annual tournament held in Norway during the month of July, in order to determine the national chess champion. The tournament is held at different venues each year as part of the Landsturnering...
in 2001, and was in the sole lead after four rounds, but a string of losses left him at +3=2-4 and 10th place in the end.
Lahlum plays for the chess club in Porsgrunn
Porsgrunn
is a town and municipality in Telemark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Grenland. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Porsgrunn....
, and has been captain for his club in team chess events. He is otherwise well known for organizing and arbitrating several tournaments. He was editor of the Norwegian Chess Federation's publication Norsk sjakkblad in 2006. Lahlum's style in organizing tournaments is also original, with round reports featuring a description of every game played, player portraits, and grading each player's performance.
Style
Lahlum is known for his unconventional style, including letting his beard grow only on the left side of his face. In chess tournaments, Lahlum has on occasion sported large earmuffsEarmuffs
Earmuffs are objects designed to cover a person's ears for protection. They consist of a thermoplastic or metal head-band, that fits over the top of the head, and a pad at each end, to cover the external ears....
. He has profiled some of this eccentricity in chess tournaments he organizes.