Kristian Kristiansen (writer)
Encyclopedia
Kristian Kristiansen was a Norwegian novelist, playwright
, writer of short stories
, and children's writer
.
He was born in Tromsø
as the son of carpenter Ingbert Kristiansen (1881–1968) and Ingeborg Haugen (1886–1976). The family moved to Trøndelag
when Kristian was nine years old. After middle school he held several different jobs. Starting in 1936, he published a large number of short stories in the magazine Arbeidermagasinet
. In the late 1930s he published two short plays, Det dages (1937) and Medaljen (1938), and the children's book Eggtjuver i fugleberget (Egg thieves at the nesting cliff, 1938). His first novel, Vi bærer et bilde, came in 1939. His youth's book Jeg er ingen spion! (I am no spy!) from 1940 is one of the very few books published in Norway throughout the Second World War where it is told from the unoccupied parts of the country during the battles in 1940
.
During the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany
, which started in 1940, Kristian became involved in resistance
work. In 1942 he had to flee to Sweden. There he met the physician Ellen Hedlund; their subsequent marriage lasted from 1943 until 1955. In 1959 he married architect Turid Ellefsen.
Kristiansen had moved to Trondheim
in 1950, and his novels published after 1950 were historical novels from Trondheim. The trilogy Adrian posepilt (1950), Vårherres blindebukk (1952) and I den sorte gryte (1954), about a boy growing up in an orphanage
in the late 17th century, is regarded as Kristiansen's main work, and made him known throughout the country. The novel Klokken på Kalvskinnet (1966) is about the sufferings of a labour prisoner from the early 19th century.
Kristiansen was awarded the Mads Wiel Nygaards Endowment
in 1955 and the Norwegian Booksellers' Prize
in 1961.
Playwright
A playwright, also called a dramatist, is a person who writes plays.The term is not a variant spelling of "playwrite", but something quite distinct: the word wright is an archaic English term for a craftsman or builder...
, writer of short stories
Short Stories
Short Stories may refer to:*A plural for Short story*Short Stories , an American pulp magazine published from 1890-1959*Short Stories, a 1954 collection by O. E...
, and children's writer
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
.
He was born in Tromsø
Tromsø
Tromsø is a city and municipality in Troms county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Tromsø.Tromsø city is the ninth largest urban area in Norway by population, and the seventh largest city in Norway by population...
as the son of carpenter Ingbert Kristiansen (1881–1968) and Ingeborg Haugen (1886–1976). The family moved to Trøndelag
Trøndelag
Trøndelag is the name of a geographical region in the central part of Norway, consisting of the two counties Nord-Trøndelag and Sør-Trøndelag. The region is, together with Møre og Romsdal, part of a larger...
when Kristian was nine years old. After middle school he held several different jobs. Starting in 1936, he published a large number of short stories in the magazine Arbeidermagasinet
Arbeidermagasinet
Arbeidermagasinet was a Norwegian weekly magazine established in 1927. It changed its name to Magasinet For Alle in 1953, and ceased publication in 1970. The magazine is especially noted for its literary quality and its promotion of the short story.-Editors:Arbeidermagasinet's first editor from...
. In the late 1930s he published two short plays, Det dages (1937) and Medaljen (1938), and the children's book Eggtjuver i fugleberget (Egg thieves at the nesting cliff, 1938). His first novel, Vi bærer et bilde, came in 1939. His youth's book Jeg er ingen spion! (I am no spy!) from 1940 is one of the very few books published in Norway throughout the Second World War where it is told from the unoccupied parts of the country during the battles in 1940
Norwegian Campaign
The Norwegian Campaign was a military campaign that was fought in Norway during the Second World War between the Allies and Germany, after the latter's invasion of the country. In April 1940, the United Kingdom and France came to Norway's aid with an expeditionary force...
.
During the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany
Occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany
The occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany started with the German invasion of Norway on April 9, 1940, and ended on May 8, 1945, after the capitulation of German forces in Europe. Throughout this period, Norway was continuously occupied by the Wehrmacht...
, which started in 1940, Kristian became involved in resistance
Norwegian resistance movement
The Norwegian resistance to the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany began after Operation Weserübung in 1940 and ended in 1945. It took several forms:...
work. In 1942 he had to flee to Sweden. There he met the physician Ellen Hedlund; their subsequent marriage lasted from 1943 until 1955. In 1959 he married architect Turid Ellefsen.
Kristiansen had moved to Trondheim
Trondheim
Trondheim , historically, Nidaros and Trondhjem, is a city and municipality in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway. With a population of 173,486, it is the third most populous municipality and city in the country, although the fourth largest metropolitan area. It is the administrative centre of...
in 1950, and his novels published after 1950 were historical novels from Trondheim. The trilogy Adrian posepilt (1950), Vårherres blindebukk (1952) and I den sorte gryte (1954), about a boy growing up in an orphanage
Orphanage
An orphanage is a residential institution devoted to the care of orphans – children whose parents are deceased or otherwise unable or unwilling to care for them...
in the late 17th century, is regarded as Kristiansen's main work, and made him known throughout the country. The novel Klokken på Kalvskinnet (1966) is about the sufferings of a labour prisoner from the early 19th century.
Kristiansen was awarded the Mads Wiel Nygaards Endowment
Mads Wiel Nygaards Endowment
Mads Wiel Nygaard's Endowment is an annually awarded literary prize from the publishing house Aschehoug. The prize is a recognition of superior literary work. The publisher's editorial management makes the award based on their collective judgement of merit. Applications are not accepted.The...
in 1955 and the Norwegian Booksellers' Prize
Norwegian Booksellers' Prize
The Norwegian Booksellers' Prize is a literature prize was awarded by the Norwegian Booksellers Association. It was initiated in 1948, then did not return until 1961...
in 1961.