Per Bang
Encyclopedia
Per Bang was a Norwegian journalist. He worked in Dagens Næringsliv
from 1946 to 2006, and became known for his column På nattbordet.
, and was a bookseller's apprentice when World War II
broke out. In 1943 he was taken as a "hostage" by the Nazi German occupants of Norway
, imprisoned at Bredtveit concentration camp from 27 February to 5 April and then at Grini concentration camp to 20 December 1943.
After the war he considered finishing
secondary education, but instead worked in the newspaper Jarlsberg
from 1945 to 1947. In 1946 he was hired in Norges Handels og Sjøfartstidende, later named Dagens Næringsliv
, where he worked until 2006, from 1956 to 1974 as London
correspondent. He was formally a freelancer since 1989, and when retiring he was one of Norway's oldest active journalists. He became known for his column På nattbordet, though unsigned, where he enquired businesspeople and others on what books they were reading. On occasions, the result would be subtly embarrassing for the interview object. He also worked with the catalogue for the art exhibition Norske Bilder.
He issued several books, both fiction and non-fiction. His debut was the short story collection Dommedag for deg (1952), and he also released the novel Stedfortredere (1981). His non-fiction books were mostly from his period as London correspondent, including Den Norske Klub i London 75 år (1962), Er de gale? (1967) and Londonguide (with Anne-Marie Bang, 1970). He was a member of the Norwegian Authors' Union
for some years, but backed out because he was more comfortable with the title "journalist". He received the Golden Pen award from the Riksmål Society
in 1990.
Bang was active in Amnesty International
and Nei til atomvåpen. He was a Roman Catholic, and was married twice. He died in April 2010.
Dagens Næringsliv
Dagens Næringsliv, commonly known as DN, is a Norwegian tabloid specializing in business reporting with a claimed daily circulation of 82,775 copies in 2008, making it the 8th largest newspaper in Norway. The editor in chief is Amund Djuve. Its name is Norwegian for "Today's Business".Originally...
from 1946 to 2006, and became known for his column På nattbordet.
Career
He was born in OsloOslo
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...
, and was a bookseller's apprentice when World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
broke out. In 1943 he was taken as a "hostage" by the Nazi German occupants of Norway
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...
, imprisoned at Bredtveit concentration camp from 27 February to 5 April and then at Grini concentration camp to 20 December 1943.
After the war he considered finishing
Examen artium
Examen artium was the name of the academic certification conferred in Denmark and Norway, qualifying the student for admission to university studies. Examen artium was originally introduced as the entrance exam of the University of Copenhagen in 1630...
secondary education, but instead worked in the newspaper Jarlsberg
Jarlsberg Avis
Jarlsberg Avis is a local newspaper published in Holmestrand, Norway. It was established in 1843.It has a circulation of 3647, of whom 3499 are subscribers.Jarlsberg Avis is owned by Østlands-Posten, which in turn is owned 100% by A-pressen....
from 1945 to 1947. In 1946 he was hired in Norges Handels og Sjøfartstidende, later named Dagens Næringsliv
Dagens Næringsliv
Dagens Næringsliv, commonly known as DN, is a Norwegian tabloid specializing in business reporting with a claimed daily circulation of 82,775 copies in 2008, making it the 8th largest newspaper in Norway. The editor in chief is Amund Djuve. Its name is Norwegian for "Today's Business".Originally...
, where he worked until 2006, from 1956 to 1974 as London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
correspondent. He was formally a freelancer since 1989, and when retiring he was one of Norway's oldest active journalists. He became known for his column På nattbordet, though unsigned, where he enquired businesspeople and others on what books they were reading. On occasions, the result would be subtly embarrassing for the interview object. He also worked with the catalogue for the art exhibition Norske Bilder.
He issued several books, both fiction and non-fiction. His debut was the short story collection Dommedag for deg (1952), and he also released the novel Stedfortredere (1981). His non-fiction books were mostly from his period as London correspondent, including Den Norske Klub i London 75 år (1962), Er de gale? (1967) and Londonguide (with Anne-Marie Bang, 1970). He was a 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...
for some years, but backed out because he was more comfortable with the title "journalist". He received the Golden Pen award from the Riksmål Society
Riksmålsforbundet
Riksmålsforbundet is the main organisation for Riksmål, one of the written standard of the Norwegian language ....
in 1990.
Bang was active in Amnesty International
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organisation whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."Following a publication of Peter Benenson's...
and Nei til atomvåpen. He was a Roman Catholic, and was married twice. He died in April 2010.