Jens Zetlitz Kielland (5 January 1816 - 7 January 1881 (aged 65)) was a Norwegian consul and artist. He is known as the father of novelist Alexander Kielland.
He was born in Stavanger to Jacob Kielland and Axeliane Christine (1792–1855), née Zetlitz.[1] His grandfather was Gabriel Schanche Kielland, his uncle Jonas Schanche Kielland. He had four brothers and five sisters, most of them younger than he was,[2] although a few died young. Through his brother Jacob Kielland, Jens Zetlitz Kielland had several notable nephews.
Jens Zetlitz Kielland was chosen to take higher education, but he never really fulfilled this. He returned home to work in his father's business. However, he never became a businessman either, but was vice consul for Portugal from 1837 and director of Stavanger Sparebank. He also inherited a third part of Ledaal farm in 1863. Still, he rather pursued his hobbies which included painting, music and ivory carving.[1] He also published numerous novels.[3]
In July 1840 he married fellow Stavanger citizen Christiane ("Janna") Lange,[1] daughter of Alexander Lange (1792–1866) and his wife Christine Aall Castberg (1799–1851).[4] The couple had five sons and three daughters.[1] Their oldest son Jacob became a priest and politician, Kitty became a painter, Alexander became a highly successful novelist, Tycho became a jurist and journalist, while two died young.
Janna died after giving birth to the eighth child.[4] Jens Zetlitz Kielland married Inger Mæle (1815–1887) in July 1863. They had no children.[1] Jens Zetlitz Kielland died in 1889 in Stavanger.[1]