| 1859 |
Knut
is born August 4th in Gudbrandsdalen
Norway. His parents are Peder Pedersen
(1825-1907) and Tora Pedersen born Olsen
(1830-1919) He is baptised in Garmo
church. |
| 1862
|
Moves
with his family to Hamsund in Hamarøy,
northern Norway. |
| 1868-1873 |
Several
stays with his uncle Hans Olsen and
Olsen’s housekeeper. Knut’s
sister Sophia Marie, born in 1864, stays
from birth on with the uncle. |
| 1873-1874 |
Knut
finishes school. Moves to Lom.
Confirmation in Lom church October 4th. -
Works as a shophand in the shop of his
godfather Torsten Hesthagen. Returns to
Hamarøy and is employed as a salesman at
merchant Walsøe on Tranøy. |
| 1875 |
Travelling
salesman in northern Norway. |
| 1876 |
Apprentice
as shoemaker in Bodø. |
| 1877 |
His
first book "Den gaadefulde"
(The Enigmatic) is published in Tromsø
at M. Urdal's publishing house, printed
at G.Kjeldseth's printing works. - Works
as a police officer in Bø, Vesterålen.
Reads Bjørnson's peasant stories. Stops
policework and starts teaching at the
Kretsskole in Bø. |
| 1878 |
"Et
gjensyn" (A Reunion) and
"Bjørger" (Bjoerger) are
published. |
| 1879 |
Knut
Pedersen leaves Bø,Vesterålen. K. Zahl
on Kjerringøy helps financially and Knut
moves to Hardanger to become an author.
Travels in autumn to the publisher
Frederik Hegel in Copenhagen with the
peasant story "Frida", which is
refused.- Visits in December Bjørnson on
Aulestad.- Moves to Kristiania,
Tomtegaten 11, where he suffers distress
the winter through. |
| 1880-1881 |
Employment
at the road works at Toten.- Reads
Strindberg and the french naturalists.
Gives talk on literature at Gjøvik. |
| 1882-1883 |
Travels
in January to USA. Works one year as a
salesman in Elroy and harvesting on a
farm in North Dakota. |
| 1884-1885 |
Becomes
secretary to Kristofer Janson in
Minneapolis.- Meets Mark Twain.- Reads
Nietzsche and all modern literature
available.- Is taken ill in autumn and
returns to Norway.- Moves late autumn to
Auerdal in Valdres for convalescence.-
Publishes smaller works. - After years of
experimenting with his signature, he
takes the name Hamsun. |
| 1886 |
Hamsun
returns in winter to Kristiania. Again he
suffers distress. Meets Arne Garborg, who
doesn't encourage him. During summer he
is on tour lecturing. - Returns in August
to USA. |
| 1887 |
Works
a couple of months as a tram conductor in
Chicago, works later on a farm and as a
journalist and lecturer in Minneapolis. |
| 1888 |
Leaves
in summer USA and moves to Copenhagen.
Meets Erik and Amalie Skram and the
Brandes brothers. - November: The first
chapters of "Sult" (Hunger) are
published anonymous in the magazine
"Ny Jord" in Copenhagen. |
| 1889 |
January:
Lectures at the student club in
Copenhagen on the cultural life of modern
America.- Travels to Valdres and
Kristiania. Publishes "Fra det
moderne Amerikas Aandsliv" (Cultural
life of modern America) and "Lars
Oftedal " - Works on
"Sult". |
| 1890 |
Back
in Copenhagen. "Sult" is
published as a book under his own name.-
Travels to Lillesand , where he writes
"Smaabyliv" (Village Life) and
"Fra det ubeviste sjeleliv" (On
the Unconscious). |
| 1891 |
January-November:
Lectures in different Norwegian towns.-
"Hunger" is published in German
by S. Fischer, Berlin. Lives in Sarpsborg
and Kristiansund. |
| 1892 |
Leaves
Kristiansund.- Travels to Copenhagen. In
autumn "Mysterier" (Mysteries)
is published.- Lives different places. |
| 1893 |
"Redaktør
Lynge" (Editor Lynge) is
published in spring. Travels to Paris.-
In autumn "Ny Jord" (Shallow
Soil). |
| 1894 |
Meets
Strindberg in Paris.- During summer
travels to Kristiansand. "Pan"
is published in autumn.- Back to Paris.
Meets from time to time with Verlaine,
Gauguin, Herman Bang, Johan Bojer, Albert
Langen. |
| 1895 |
The
play "Ved rikets port" (At the
Gate of the Kingdom) is published.-
Travels in summer to Faaberg, Kristiania
and Ljan, where he works on the play
"Livets spil” (The Game of
Life). |
| 1896 |
Meets
Edvard Munch, who makes an etching of
him. - Travels to Munich where he is a
guest of his German publisher Albert
Langen. Meets Bjørnson.-In summer back
to Norway. Writes short stories for
Simplicissimus. Lives in Auerdal at
Frydenlund’s and other places in
Valdres.- In autumn to Kristiania.-
October 28th first performance of
"Ved rigets port" in
Christiania Theater.- December 4th first
performance of "Livets spil" in
Christiania Theater. |
| 1897 |
Lives
mostly in Ms. Hammer’s boarding
house in Ljan.- January 30th lecture
"Om overvurdering av diktere og
diktning" (On the Overrating of
Poets and Poetry) - Meets Bergljot
Goepfert, born Bech.- Collection of short
stories "Siesta" (The Ring,
Just an ordinary fly of average size). |
| 1898 |
Hamsun
marries Bergljot on May 13th.- They
settle in Auerdal.- First performance of
"Aftenrøde" (Sunset) October
10th in Christiania Theater.-
"Victoria" is published.- Mr.
and Ms. Hamsun move to Helsinki. |
| 1899 |
Meets
Albert Engstrøm and Jean Sibelius.- In
May lecture at Helsinki University on
"Digterliv" (Life of a Poet) -
In summer: Travel through Russia,
Caucasia, Turkey. |
| 1900 |
Lives
in Copenhagen.- April: Travels to
Hamarøy, where he works on "Munken
Vendt".-In autumn back to
Copenhagen. |
| 1901 |
Lives
in Kristiania and Copenhagen. Works on
the papers from the orient travel. |
| 1902 |
The
daughter Victoria is born.- "Munken
Vendt" is published.- Hamsun’s
homage to Bjørnson is published. |
| 1903 |
He
publishes "I Æventyrland" (In
Wonderland), "Kratskog" (Short
Stories) and "Dronning Tamara"
(Queen Tamara).- Gustav Vigeland makes a
bust of Hamsun. |
| 1904 |
Collection
of poems "Det vilde kor" (Wild
Choir-Island of the coast) - Articles in
Forposten.- "Sværmere"
(Dreamers) is published.- Hamsun is
awarded Houens Legat. Stays in
Kristiania, Drøbak and København.-
Meets Johannes V. Jensen. First
performance of "Dronning
Tamara" 15 January at
Nationalteatret i Kristiania". |
| 1905 |
Builds
a house and settles in Drøbak.-
Participates in the independence struggle
with articles and poems.- Publishes the
collection of short stories
"Stridende liv" (On the
Island). |
| 1906 |
Divorced.-
Hamsun stays in the boarding house
"Utsikten" in Nordstrand. Works
on the first vagabond books. "Under
høststjærnen" (Wanderers –
Under the Autumn Star) is published. |
| 1907 |
Hamsuns
father dies March 17th.- Lecture
"Ærer de unge" (Honour the
Youth)- In summer stay in Kongsberg. |
| 1908 |
April:
Meets Marie Andersen.- "Benoni"
is published.- In summer again stay in
Kongsberg.- June 17th speech in
Kristiania on Wergeland’s 100 years
celebration.- In autumn "Rosa"
is published. |
| 1909 |
Hamsun
marries Marie Andersen June 25th. They
settle at Sollien.- In autumn "En
vandrer spiller med sordin" (A
Wanderer Plays on Muted Strings). |
| 1910 |
January:
Article in Morgenbladet: "Teologen i
Æventyrland" (The Theologian in
Wonderland) - 26. April Bjørnson dies.
Hamsun’s homage.- Moves to Elverum
and Koppang.- Articles in Verdens Gang:
"Landets sprog" (The
State’s Language) and "Et ord
til os" (A Word to Us).- The play
"Livet ivold" (The Grip of
Life) first performed at
Nationaltheatret, Kristiania November
16th. |
| 1911 |
Settles
on Hamarøy as a poet and a farmer. |
| 1912 |
The
son Tore is born March 6th.- In autumn
"Den siste glæde" (Look back
on Happiness) is published. |
| 1913 |
Lives
partly home and partly in Bodø.- In
autumn "Børn av tiden"
(Children of the Age) is published. |
| 1914 |
The
son Arild is born May 3rd..- Hamsun lives
at home and in Bardu.- August: First
World War starts and Hamsun is on
Germany’s side. Fight in the press
with Professor Collin and W. Archer. |
| 1915 |
16.
January the article "Barnet"
(The Child) in Morgenbladet.- Hamsun
works in Harstad on "Segelfoss
by" (Segelfoss Town), which is
published later in the year.- Birth of
the daughter Ellinor 23. October. |
| 1916 |
Moves
from place to place in Nordland to gain
peace to work on "Markens
grøde" (Growth of the Soil). Lives
mostly at the farm Kråkmo. |
| 1917 |
Spring:
Hamsun sells "Skogheim" on
Hamarøy and moves to Larvik,
Jegersborggatan 10.- The daughter Cecilia
is born May 13th.- Essay in Aftenposten
12 July: "Nabobyen" (The
neighbouring Town).- In autumn
"Markens grøde" is published. |
| 1918 |
Still
looking for a farm in the country.-
Publishes the leaflet "Sproget i
fare" (The Language in Danger) - In
autumn: The Hamsun family moves to
Nørholm. |
| 1919 |
Hamsun’s
mother dies 6. January.- He is now a
farmer on Nørholm. |
| 1920 |
Spring:
Works mainly in Arendal.- In autumn
"Konerne ved vandposten" (The
Women at the Pump) is published.-
December 10th. Hamsun is awarded the
Nobel Price in Stockholm. |
| 1921 |
Rebuilding
of Nørholm.- Works in Arendal.
"Dikte" (Poems) is published. |
| 1922 |
The
poets cottage at Nørholm is build.-
Works in Arendal and on Nørholm. |
| 1923 |
In
autumn "Siste kapitel" (Chapter
the Last) is published. |
| 1924-1925 |
Hamsun
works in his poet's cottage and in
Lillesand. A difficult period, where
nothing will succeed. |
| 1926 |
Winter:
Lives in Victoria Hotel in Oslo and
consults a psychiatrist from January to
July.- Summer: Back to Nørholm, where he
writes first part of
"Landstrykere" (Vagabonds).- In
autumn Hamsun moves with his family to
Bygdø, Museumsveien 5. |
| 1927 |
Moves
in spring back to Nørholm.- In autumn
"Landstrykere" is published. |
| 1928 |
Works
in the poets cottage and in Lillesand.-
In Aftenposten 12. December the article
"Festina lente". |
| 1929 |
All
the world is celebrating Hamsun on his
70. Birthday August 4th. |
| 1930 |
The
winter is spent in Aurdal, in spring back
to Nørholm.- Hamsun is taken ill in
autumn and goes through an operation at
Arendal Hospital.- "August"
(August) is published. |
| 1931 |
Long
convalescence. In January he travels to
the french riviera for a couple of weeks
and in summer to Aurdal. Tries to work. |
| 1932 |
Still
convalescent, but works in the poets
cottage and in Egersund. |
| 1933 |
In
autumn "Men livet lever" (The
Road leads on) is published. |
| 1934 |
In
April he visits France. Summer in
Lillesand and on Nørholm.- He refuses
the 10.000 German Mark Goethe-Price, but
accepts the Goethe-Medal. |
| 1935 |
Works
in Oslo and on Nørholm.- Article in
Aftenposten 22. November on
"Ossietzky". |
| 1936 |
In
summer "Ringen sluttet" (The
Ring is closed) is published. |
| 1937 |
Occupies
himself entirely with farming on
Nørholm., approaching deafness. |
| 1938 |
March
- June: Stays in Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia.
Tries to write a continuation of
"Ringen sluttet", but has to
give up. |
| 1939 |
Hamsun
is 80 years old on 4. August and is again
celebrated by all the world.- September:
Second world war starts and Hamsun’s
sympathies are again on German side. |
| 1940 |
9.
April: German troops occupy Norway.
Hamsun is in opposition to his
compatriots. |
| 1941-1942 |
Lives
quietly at Nørholm. Writes German
friendly articles, but takes actions to
help compatriots in German captivity.. |
| 1943 |
Tempestuous
meeting with Hitler in Berchtesgaden,
where Hamsun complain about the German
Commissioner in Norway, Terboven.. |
| 1944 |
Lives
quietly and withdrawn on Nørholm. Tries
constantly by applications to save
Norwegians from death penalties. |
| 1945 |
8.
May: All German troops in Norway
surrender.- 26. May: Mr and Ms Hamsun
under house arrest on Nørholm.- 14.
June: Internment at Grimstad Hospital.-
23. June: Hamsun before the magistrate in
Grimstad.- Makes notes for "Paa
gjengrodde stier" (On overgrown
Paths).- 2. September: Hamsun is moved to
the nursing home in Landvik.- 22.
September: Again before the magistrate in
Grimstad.- 15. October: Transfer to
Psychiatric Hospital, Oslo. |
| 1946 |
11.
February: Released from Psychiatric
Hospital and transferred to Landvik
nursing home. Heavily impaired after the
treatment at the psychiatric hospital,
but tries to work.- The court case is
postponed several times. |
| 1947 |
16.
December: Hamsun before the court in
Grimstad. He is fined 425.000 kroner
(though chief judge konst.Sorenskriver
Eide dissented and acquitted Hamsun).
After the verdict Hamsun returns to
Nørholm. |
| 1948
|
Hamsun
finishes "Paa gjengrodde
stier", which is published the year
after.- Midsummer Day: The Supreme Court
reduces the fine to 325.000 kroner and
Hamsun stops writing. |
| 1949-1951 |
Lives
quietly and retired at Nørholm.- Vision
and hearing fail. |
| 1952 |
19.
February: Knut Hamsun dies in his bedroom
on Nørholm. He is buried on Nørholm. |
If you desire to know more about Knut Hamsun's
life the following biography is recommended:
Robert Ferguson: Enigma, The life of Knut
Hamsun. 1987.
Should a book be out of print, you may find it
at an antiquarian: www.antikvariat.net