| 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. |