Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Today in History: Peter Christen Asbjørnsen

Today marks the 124th anniversary of the passing of one of Norway's most well known writers, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen. While he was originally schooled in the science of zoology, he is most remembered as Norway's answer to the Brothers Grimm.

In 1842 he collected and published a large collection of Norwegian folktales, called Norske Folkeeventyr, with Norwegian Bishop, Jørgen Moe. Then, in 1845 Asbjørnsen published a collection of fairy tales, called huldreeventyr og folkesagn.

His legacy is still strong more than a century later with modern movies and theme parks incorporating his stories and vision into their mythos.

No comments: