Vilhelm Moberg
Encyclopedia
Karl Artur Vilhelm Moberg (20 August 1898–8 August 1973) was a Swedish
author and historian, most commonly associated with his four novels (tetralogy) known as The Emigrants
Series.
in the Parish of Algutsboda
in Småland
, in southern Sweden. He was the fourth child with six siblings, of whom only three survived into adulthood. His forebears were soldiers and small farmers. He spent the first nine years of his life at the tenement soldier’s cottage in Moshultamåla that his father Karl Moberg, a territorial soldier, took over in 1888. In 1907 the family moved to a small farm in the village of Moshultamåla. This had been the family home of his mother Ida Moberg, which was bought back with money from her family in America. Moberg underwent only limited schooling from 1906 until 1912. However, as a child he was an avid reader and was first published at the age of 13.
He worked as a farmer and forest laborer, and later at glassblowing before and between his various studies. In 1916 he nearly emigrated to the United States, following his uncle and aunt, but ultimately decided to remain in Sweden with his parents. Largely self-educated Moberg studied at Kronoberg County Folk High School in Grimslöv
from 1916 to 1917 and at Katrineholms Praktiska Skola, a private school in Katrineholm
from 1917 to 1918. Moberg became infected with the Spanish Flu
in 1918, and was sick for a half year. After his illness, Moberg took a position on the newspaper Vadstena Läns Tidning in Östergötland
which published many of his stories between 1919 and 1929.
In 1926, Moberg made his breakthrough as a playwright when his comedy Kassabrist had a successful run in Stockholm. He published his first novel Raskens the following year. Moberg became a full-time writer when the success of Raskens enabled him to devote himself entirely to writing.
n culture and history. In his autobiographical novel A Soldier with a Broken Rifle (Swedish: Soldat med brutet gevär), he speaks to the importance of giving voice to the downtrodden, illiterate classes of his forebears. This viewpoint also formed his History of the Swedish People, I-II (Swedish: Min svenska historia, berättad för folket, I-II), published in 1970-71 in both Swedish and English. The history was meant to have more volumes, but he never finished it.
and Haijby affair
, in which Moberg took an active part. Moberg participated from the 1950s in debates about the Swedish monarchy, bureaucracy, and corruption, and devoted much time to help individual citizens that had experienced injustice. Much like his generation of Swedish authors from a working class background, such as Ivar Lo-Johansson
, Harry Martinson
and Moa Martinson
, Moberg depicted the life of the dispossessed, their traditions, customs, and everyday struggle. His novels are important documents of social history, and trace the influences of various social and political movements in Sweden.
Vilhelm Moberg
År 1989 kom lille Vilhelm till världen och han hade stora framgångar framför sig som han inte visste om. Vilhelm växte upp i södra Småland i ett litet torp med sin far och mor och sex syskon men tre av syskonen dog i väldigt ung ålder. Vilhelms far kom från en soldatsläkt, men han blev senare en självägande bonde. Modern kom från ett litet brukarhem. I sin barndom flyttade han sedan till en liten gård i i duvemåla och hans jobb blev att jobba i lantbruket och att bära ved.
(a tetralogy) written between 1949 and 1959 that describe one Swedish family's migration from Småland
to Chisago County, Minnesota in the mid 19th century. This was a destiny shared by almost one million Swedish people, including several of the author's relatives. These novels have been translated into English: The Emigrants
(1951), Unto a Good Land
(1954), The Settlers
(1961), The Last Letter Home
(1961). His literary depiction of the Swedish-American immigrant experience is comparable to O.E. Rolvaag's work depicting the experience of Norwegian-American immigrants. The musical Kristina från Duvemåla
(English title "Kristina") by ex-ABBA
members Björn Ulvaeus
and Benny Andersson
is based on Moberg's The Emigrants Series..
in Växjö, Sweden displays his original manuscripts, excerpts, notes, and photographs in such a way that visitors get a feeling of meeting Vilhelm Moberg in his workshop. This unique collection of Moberg memorabilia also includes Axel Olsson's sculpture entitled The Emigrants which portrays the main characters featured in The Emigrants Series. The Vilhelm Moberg Society, with headquarter in Swedish Emigrant Institute, has the purpose to promote publications, research and popular interest in Moberg's works.
by drowning himself in a lake outside his house. He left a note saying: "The time is twenty past seven; I go to search in the lake for eternal sleep". Moberg was buried in Norra begravningsplatsen
in Stockholm
.
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
author and historian, most commonly associated with his four novels (tetralogy) known as The Emigrants
The Emigrants (novels)
The Emigrants is the collective name of a four novel suite by the Swedish author Vilhelm Moberg:*The Emigrants *Unto a Good Land *The Settlers *The Last Letter Home...
Series.
Early life
Karl Artur Vilhelm Moberg was born on a farm outside of the town EmmabodaEmmaboda
-Geography:Emmaboda is located in the middle of the Tri-City Region Växjö, Kalmar and Karlskrona. All three places are sixty kilometers from Emmaboda.-Culture:...
in the Parish of Algutsboda
Algutsboda, Sweden
Algutsboda is a community in Kalmar County, Sweden.Author Vilhelm Moberg was born and grew up in Algutsboda, which is in the region called Småland....
in Småland
Småland
' is a historical province in southern Sweden.Småland borders Blekinge, Scania or Skåne, Halland, Västergötland, Östergötland and the island Öland in the Baltic Sea. The name Småland literally means Small Lands. . The latinized form Smolandia has been used in other languages...
, in southern Sweden. He was the fourth child with six siblings, of whom only three survived into adulthood. His forebears were soldiers and small farmers. He spent the first nine years of his life at the tenement soldier’s cottage in Moshultamåla that his father Karl Moberg, a territorial soldier, took over in 1888. In 1907 the family moved to a small farm in the village of Moshultamåla. This had been the family home of his mother Ida Moberg, which was bought back with money from her family in America. Moberg underwent only limited schooling from 1906 until 1912. However, as a child he was an avid reader and was first published at the age of 13.
He worked as a farmer and forest laborer, and later at glassblowing before and between his various studies. In 1916 he nearly emigrated to the United States, following his uncle and aunt, but ultimately decided to remain in Sweden with his parents. Largely self-educated Moberg studied at Kronoberg County Folk High School in Grimslöv
Grimslöv
Grimslöv is a locality situated in Alvesta Municipality, Kronoberg County, Sweden with 638 inhabitants in 2005....
from 1916 to 1917 and at Katrineholms Praktiska Skola, a private school in Katrineholm
Katrineholm
Katrineholm is a locality and the seat of Katrineholm Municipality, Södermanland County, Sweden with 21,386 inhabitants in 2005.-Early history:The name Katrineholm comes from a ducal residence with this name, after Catherina Gyllenhorn who lived there...
from 1917 to 1918. Moberg became infected with the Spanish Flu
Spanish flu
The 1918 flu pandemic was an influenza pandemic, and the first of the two pandemics involving H1N1 influenza virus . It was an unusually severe and deadly pandemic that spread across the world. Historical and epidemiological data are inadequate to identify the geographic origin...
in 1918, and was sick for a half year. After his illness, Moberg took a position on the newspaper Vadstena Läns Tidning in Östergötland
Östergötland
Östergötland, English exonym: East Gothland, is one of the traditional provinces of Sweden in the south of Sweden. It borders Småland, Västergötland, Närke, Södermanland, and the Baltic Sea. In older English literature, one might also encounter the Latinized version, Ostrogothia...
which published many of his stories between 1919 and 1929.
In 1926, Moberg made his breakthrough as a playwright when his comedy Kassabrist had a successful run in Stockholm. He published his first novel Raskens the following year. Moberg became a full-time writer when the success of Raskens enabled him to devote himself entirely to writing.
Author
Many of his works have been translated into English, and he is well-recognized in the English-speaking world among those interested in ScandinaviaScandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
n culture and history. In his autobiographical novel A Soldier with a Broken Rifle (Swedish: Soldat med brutet gevär), he speaks to the importance of giving voice to the downtrodden, illiterate classes of his forebears. This viewpoint also formed his History of the Swedish People, I-II (Swedish: Min svenska historia, berättad för folket, I-II), published in 1970-71 in both Swedish and English. The history was meant to have more volumes, but he never finished it.
Social themes
Moberg had become a member of a young Social Democrats club in 1913. In his works, he often expressed a republican (anti-royalist) point of view, much due to the facts that surfaced in the Kejne affairKejne affair
The Kejne affair was a political affair in Sweden in the 1950s.In 1948, Karl-Erik Kejne , a pastor of the town mission, publicly accused groups of gay men of threatening him and making attempts on his life...
and Haijby affair
Haijby affair
The Haijby affair was a political affair in Sweden in the 1950s, involving the conviction and imprisonment of Kurt Haijby for blackmail of King Gustaf V.- Background :...
, in which Moberg took an active part. Moberg participated from the 1950s in debates about the Swedish monarchy, bureaucracy, and corruption, and devoted much time to help individual citizens that had experienced injustice. Much like his generation of Swedish authors from a working class background, such as Ivar Lo-Johansson
Ivar Lo-Johansson
Ivar Lo-Johansson was a Swedish writer of the proletarian school.He described the situation of the Swedish land-workers, statare, in his novels, short stories and journalism, which encouraged the adoption of certain land reforms in Sweden...
, Harry Martinson
Harry Martinson
Harry Martinson was a Swedish sailor, author and poet. In 1949 he was elected into the Swedish Academy. He was awarded a joint Nobel Prize in Literature in 1974 together with fellow Swede Eyvind Johnson. The choice for Eyvind Johnson and Harry Martinson was very controversial as both were on the...
and Moa Martinson
Moa Martinson
Helga Maria Swarts, known as Moa Martinson, was a Swedish author. Helga's ambitions as a writer was to change the society and with her authorship portray the conditions of the working-class but also the personal development of women...
, Moberg depicted the life of the dispossessed, their traditions, customs, and everyday struggle. His novels are important documents of social history, and trace the influences of various social and political movements in Sweden.
Vilhelm Moberg
År 1989 kom lille Vilhelm till världen och han hade stora framgångar framför sig som han inte visste om. Vilhelm växte upp i södra Småland i ett litet torp med sin far och mor och sex syskon men tre av syskonen dog i väldigt ung ålder. Vilhelms far kom från en soldatsläkt, men han blev senare en självägande bonde. Modern kom från ett litet brukarhem. I sin barndom flyttade han sedan till en liten gård i i duvemåla och hans jobb blev att jobba i lantbruket och att bära ved.
The Emigrants series
Moberg's most famous work is a series of four novelsThe Emigrants (novels)
The Emigrants is the collective name of a four novel suite by the Swedish author Vilhelm Moberg:*The Emigrants *Unto a Good Land *The Settlers *The Last Letter Home...
(a tetralogy) written between 1949 and 1959 that describe one Swedish family's migration from Småland
Småland
' is a historical province in southern Sweden.Småland borders Blekinge, Scania or Skåne, Halland, Västergötland, Östergötland and the island Öland in the Baltic Sea. The name Småland literally means Small Lands. . The latinized form Smolandia has been used in other languages...
to Chisago County, Minnesota in the mid 19th century. This was a destiny shared by almost one million Swedish people, including several of the author's relatives. These novels have been translated into English: The Emigrants
The Emigrants (Swedish novel)
The Emigrants is a novel by Vilhelm Moberg from 1949. It is the first part of the The Emigrants suite.- Plot :The story takes place in the 1840s up to 1850. The first part of the novel describes the hardships faced by rural families in Sweden. Karl Oskar Nilsson and his wife, Kristina, own a farm...
(1951), Unto a Good Land
Unto a Good Land
Unto a Good Land is a novel by Vilhelm Moberg from 1952. It is the second part of the The Emigrants suite.-Plot:This novel describes the journey of the Emigrants from New York City, New York to Taylors Falls, Minnesota. They settle at the lake Ki-Chi-Saga in what is today Chisago County, and...
(1954), The Settlers
The Settlers (novel)
The Settlers is a novel by Vilhelm Moberg from 1956. It is the third and the longest part of the The Emigrants suite.- Plot :The book tells about the group's new life in America where most of them now have started to feel at home...
(1961), The Last Letter Home
The Last Letter Home
The Last Letter Home is a novel by Vilhelm Moberg from 1959. It is the fourth and final part of the The Emigrants suite, the shortest book of the four, with a faster pace.-Plot:...
(1961). His literary depiction of the Swedish-American immigrant experience is comparable to O.E. Rolvaag's work depicting the experience of Norwegian-American immigrants. The musical Kristina från Duvemåla
Kristina från Duvemåla
Kristina från Duvemåla is a Swedish musical written by former ABBA members Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson , based on a series of four novels by Swedish author Vilhelm Moberg detailing a family's poverty-driven migration from Sweden to America in the mid-19th century: The Emigrants, Unto a Good...
(English title "Kristina") by ex-ABBA
ABBA
ABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog...
members Björn Ulvaeus
Björn Ulvaeus
Björn Kristian Ulvaeus is a Swedish songwriter, composer, musician, writer, producer, a former member of the Swedish musical group ABBA , and co-composer of the musicals Chess, Kristina från Duvemåla, and Mamma Mia!...
and Benny Andersson
Benny Andersson
Göran Bror "Benny" Andersson is a Swedish musician, composer, a former member of the Swedish musical group ABBA , and co-composer of the musicals Chess, Kristina från Duvemåla, and Mamma Mia!...
is based on Moberg's The Emigrants Series..
The Moberg Room
The Moberg Room at the Swedish Emigrant InstituteSwedish Emigrant Institute
Swedish Emigrant Institute is a research center and museum which is designed to preserve records and memorabilia relating to Swedish-American migration.-Background:...
in Växjö, Sweden displays his original manuscripts, excerpts, notes, and photographs in such a way that visitors get a feeling of meeting Vilhelm Moberg in his workshop. This unique collection of Moberg memorabilia also includes Axel Olsson's sculpture entitled The Emigrants which portrays the main characters featured in The Emigrants Series. The Vilhelm Moberg Society, with headquarter in Swedish Emigrant Institute, has the purpose to promote publications, research and popular interest in Moberg's works.
Later life
Moberg lived the last years of his life with depression, and eventually he committed suicideSuicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
by drowning himself in a lake outside his house. He left a note saying: "The time is twenty past seven; I go to search in the lake for eternal sleep". Moberg was buried in Norra begravningsplatsen
Norra begravningsplatsen
Norra begravningsplatsen, literally "The Northern Cemetery" in Swedish, is a major cemetery of Metropolitan Stockholm. The cemetery is located in the municipality of Solna.Inaugurated on June 9, 1827, it is the burial site for a number of Swedish notables....
in Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
.
The Emigrants Series
- The EmigrantsThe Emigrants (Swedish novel)The Emigrants is a novel by Vilhelm Moberg from 1949. It is the first part of the The Emigrants suite.- Plot :The story takes place in the 1840s up to 1850. The first part of the novel describes the hardships faced by rural families in Sweden. Karl Oskar Nilsson and his wife, Kristina, own a farm...
(1949), ISBN 0-87351-319-3. - Unto a Good LandUnto a Good LandUnto a Good Land is a novel by Vilhelm Moberg from 1952. It is the second part of the The Emigrants suite.-Plot:This novel describes the journey of the Emigrants from New York City, New York to Taylors Falls, Minnesota. They settle at the lake Ki-Chi-Saga in what is today Chisago County, and...
(1952), ISBN 0-87351-320-7. - The SettlersThe Settlers (novel)The Settlers is a novel by Vilhelm Moberg from 1956. It is the third and the longest part of the The Emigrants suite.- Plot :The book tells about the group's new life in America where most of them now have started to feel at home...
(1956), ISBN 0-87351-321-5. - The Last Letter HomeThe Last Letter HomeThe Last Letter Home is a novel by Vilhelm Moberg from 1959. It is the fourth and final part of the The Emigrants suite, the shortest book of the four, with a faster pace.-Plot:...
(1959), ISBN 0-87351-322-3.
Fiction
- Memory of Youth
- Ride This Night!
- A Time on Earth, ISBN 1-56849-314-2.
- When I Was a Child, ISBN 0-8488-0302-7.
Nonfiction
- A History of the Swedish People, Vol. 1: From Prehistory to the Renaissance, ISBN 0-8166-4656-2.
- A History of the Swedish People, Vol. 2: From Renaissance to Revolution, ISBN 0-8166-4657-0. Both volumes translated by Paul Britten AustinPaul Britten AustinPaul Britten Austin was an English author, translator, broadcaster, administrator, and scholar of Swedish literature. He was born in Dawlish, South Devon, England. He was educated at Winchester College...
. - The Unknown Swedes: A Book About Swedes and America, Past and Present, ISBN 0-8093-1486-X.
Sources
- Holmes, Philip. Vilhelm Moberg, Twayne's world authors series (Boston, MA: Twayne Publishers. 1980)
- Holmes, Philip. Vilhelm Moberg. En introduktion till hans författarskap (Stockholm, Carlsson, 2001)
- Holmes, Philip. Vilhelm Moberg: Utvandrarna (Studies in Swedish literature (Orton and Holmes. 1976)
- Eidevall, Gunnar. Vilhelm Moberg , Swedish portraits (Stockholm, Sweden: Svenska Institutet; 2nd edition. 1996)
Further reading
- von Platen, Magnus. Den unge Vilhelm Moberg. En levnadsteckning (Stockholm, Sweden: Bonniers, 1978) Swedish
External links
- Vilhelm Moberg - The Greatest Swedish Author
- Kristina from Duvemåla - The Musical
- Vilhelm Moberg's Duvemåla
- Vilhelm Moberg’s Emigration District
- Hiking in Vilhelm Moberg's Emigrant District
- Vilhelm Moberg - Emmaboda county