Nils Johan Rud
Encyclopedia
Nils Johan Rud was a Norwegian
novelist, writer of short stories
, children's writer, and a magazine editor. He is particularly known for his long-term period as editor of the magazine Arbeidermagasinet / Magasinet For Alle.
as the son of Mons Nilsen Rud and Emma Johanne Nergaard. He married Aase Gudlaug Hellum in 1934. He died in Asker
in 1993.
. His first novel was Vi skal ha et barn from 1933, while his breakthrough was Jeg er ingen proletar from 1935. Among his other novels were Oppfordring til dans (1957) and Eirene (1966). He wrote more than forty books during his career. His novel Ekko i det gamle tun from 1982 won first prize in a novel competition. His last book was the novel En fremmed i speilet from 1993. In addition to his novels Rud wrote a large number of short stories. Among his short story collections were Fri Jord from 1945, and Det var en lørdag aften from 1959. he was a recognized author, being a board member of the Norwegian Authors' Union
from 1936 to 1945.
Before working in the press, Rud had a number of other jobs. He worked as an apprentice at a soda factory and a tailor's workshop, and as a gardener and salesman. From 1931 to 1932 he edited the local newspaper Asker Blad. Rud then edited the magazine Arbeidermagasinet
(later renamed Magasinet for Alle) from 1932 to 1970. The magazine was especially noted for its literary quality and its promotion of the short story. As an editor of this magazine Rud read and commented on more than 100,000 manuscripts.
Rud was awarded Gyldendal's Endowment
in 1947, and again in 1974. From 1961 he was given the state grant for artists. He received the Dobloug Prize
in 1979. He received the Arts Council Norway Honorary Award
in 1987 and the Alf Prøysen Honorary Prize in 1988. He was decorated Knight, First Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav in 1971.
Norwegian language
Norwegian is a North Germanic language spoken primarily in Norway, where it is the official language. Together with Swedish and Danish, Norwegian forms a continuum of more or less mutually intelligible local and regional variants .These Scandinavian languages together with the Faroese language...
novelist, writer of short stories
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
, children's writer, and a magazine editor. He is particularly known for his long-term period as editor of the magazine Arbeidermagasinet / Magasinet For Alle.
Personal life
Nils Johan Rud was born in RingsakerRingsaker
is a municipality in Hedmark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Hedmarken. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Brumunddal.The municipality of Ringsaker was established on 1 January 1838...
as the son of Mons Nilsen Rud and Emma Johanne Nergaard. He married Aase Gudlaug Hellum in 1934. He died in Asker
Asker
Asker is a municipality in Akershus county, Norway. It is part of the Viken traditional region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Asker. The municipality is a suburb of Oslo, the national capital...
in 1993.
Career
Rud published the children's book Gutter på skoggang in 1928, and continued writing children's books. In 1930 came Karsemne, in 1931 Skaugumtrollet, and Tusser og troll in 1934. He wrote Stifinner in 1935, and Et riktig mannfolk in 1936, all books for children. The book Alle tiders største was about sports, and Rud was involved as an administrator in the club IF Frisk AskerIF Frisk Asker
Idrettsforeningen Frisk Asker is a Norwegian sports club from Asker, Akershus. It has sections for association football and ice hockey.-Ice hockey:...
. His first novel was Vi skal ha et barn from 1933, while his breakthrough was Jeg er ingen proletar from 1935. Among his other novels were Oppfordring til dans (1957) and Eirene (1966). He wrote more than forty books during his career. His novel Ekko i det gamle tun from 1982 won first prize in a novel competition. His last book was the novel En fremmed i speilet from 1993. In addition to his novels Rud wrote a large number of short stories. Among his short story collections were Fri Jord from 1945, and Det var en lørdag aften from 1959. he was a recognized author, being a board member of the Norwegian Authors' Union
Norwegian Authors' Union
The Norwegian Authors' Union is an association of Norwegian authors. It was established in 1893 to promote Norwegian literature and protect Norwegian authors' professional and economic interests. DnF also works in solidarity with persecuted writers internationally.As of 2004 the association had...
from 1936 to 1945.
Before working in the press, Rud had a number of other jobs. He worked as an apprentice at a soda factory and a tailor's workshop, and as a gardener and salesman. From 1931 to 1932 he edited the local newspaper Asker Blad. Rud then edited 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...
(later renamed Magasinet for Alle) from 1932 to 1970. The magazine was especially noted for its literary quality and its promotion of the short story. As an editor of this magazine Rud read and commented on more than 100,000 manuscripts.
Rud was awarded Gyldendal's Endowment
Gyldendal's Endowment
Gyldendal's Endowment was a literature prize which was awarded in the period 1934–1995 by the Norwegian publisher Gyldendal Norsk Forlag. The prize was awarded to significant authors, regardless of which publisher the author was associated with...
in 1947, and again in 1974. From 1961 he was given the state grant for artists. He received the Dobloug Prize
Dobloug Prize
The Dobloug Prize is a literature prize awarded for Swedish and Norwegian fiction. The prize is named after Norwegian businessman and philanthropist Birger Dobloug pursuant to his bequest. The prize sum is . The Dobloug Prize is awarded annually by the Swedish Academy.-Prize winners:...
in 1979. He received the Arts Council Norway Honorary Award
Norsk kulturråds ærespris
The Arts Council Norway Honorary Award is awarded annually by the Arts Council Norway. The prize is awarded annually to a person who has made a significant contribution to Norwegian art and culture. The prize committee does not solicit nominations and the decision on award is made in closed meeting...
in 1987 and the Alf Prøysen Honorary Prize in 1988. He was decorated Knight, First Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav in 1971.