Danish-born Norwegian writer Sigrid Undset was born #OTD in 1882.
Born in Denmark and raised in Norway, Undset had her first books of historical fiction published in 1907. She fled Norway for the United States in 1940 because of her opposition to Nazi Germany and the German invasion and occupation of Norway, but returned after World War II ended in 1945.
@gutenberg_org Let's see how much of a Danish author she was...
Sigrid Undset’s father was Norwegian. Her mother was Danish. She was born in Denmark. She lived in Norway from age 2. She worked in an office for ten years in Norway. She wrote in Norwegian (riksmål, a precursor to modern bokmål). She won the Nobel prize in literature in 1928, representing Norway. Her eldest son died in April 1940, fighting for Norway against the invading Nazis. A vocal critic of Hitler and Nazism (especially their antisemitism), she fled Norway as the Nazis approached. She recorded radio addresses, which were sent from London to Norway. When she arrived in the US (travelling the long way around), she wrote and spoke in support of a free Norway. She returned to Norway after the war. She agitated for a sterner punishment of Norwegian collaborators (including the equally famous Nazi, Knut Hamsun). She forever after hated her collaborating daughter-in-law for betraying Norway. Statues have been erected in her honour, in Norway. Her image appeared on the NOK500 bank note until recently. Nearly every town and city in the country has a street named after her.
"Through the pitchy darkness that was coming she saw the glimmer of another, milder sun, she smelt the scent of the herbs in the garden at the world's end."
Add comment