Gerhard Gran

Gerhard von der Lippe Gran ( born December 9, 1856 in Bergen, † April 7, 1925 in Oslo) was a Norwegian literary historian, professor at the University of Oslo and editor of two magazines. He was considered a prominent figure in the cultural life of Norway around the turn of the century.

Life

Grans family came from the upper classes. His father, Christian Knagenhjelm Gran, was a merchant, shipowner and politician, and Vice Consul of the Kingdom of Hanover.

Gran visited the Bergen Cathedral School and then studied philology at the University of Christiania (now Oslo). In 1881 he completed his studies and became a teacher in his hometown of Bergen. among others at the cathedral. He developed a reputation as an excellent teacher. In Bergen he founded in 1890 the journal Samtiden. After the withdrawal of co-founder Jørgen Brunchorst Gran was from 1892 the sole editor of the cultural journal published until 1899 in the publishing house John Grieg.

From 1900 to 1919 Gran was a professor of Scandinavian literature at the University of Kristiania. With Aschehoug he found a local publisher for his magazine Samtiden. For William Martin Nygaard, the director of the publishing, Gran also became an important advisor. Nygaard supported him even when he 1914, the literary journal founded Edda. Gran remained until his death editor of both magazines.

Gran wrote about Norwegian and foreign writers, including Henrik Ibsen, Charles Dickens and Alexander Lange Kielland. In 1906 he published the series Småskrifter fra Det litteraturhistoriske seminar. His main work is considered his biography of Jean Jacques Rousseau, published in two volumes in 1910 and 1911.

1905 Gran was awarded the Knight's Cross 1st class of the Order of St. Olav. In addition, he was an officer of the Legion of Honour.