List of Norwegians
This article is part of the
List of Norwegians series |
| Actors |
| Artists |
| Diplomats |
| Entrepreneurs |
| Journalists |
| Military |
| Music |
| Poets |
| Politicians |
| Scientistis |
| Sports |
| Writers |
This is a list of people from Norway.
Art
Literature
- Ingvar Ambjørnsen, author
- Kjell Aukrust, author and illustrator
- Olav Aukrust, poet
- Ari Behn, author, and husband of Princess Märtha Louise of Norway
- André Bjerke, poet and author
- Jens Bjørneboe, author and poet
- Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, poet and author
- Ketil Bjørnstad, author, composer, musician
- Johan Borgen, author
- Johan Nordahl Brun (1745–1816); author, poet, dramatist, politician
- Lars Saabye Christensen, author and poet
- Roald Dahl, British children's author of Norwegian descent.
- Olav Duun, author
- Tom Egeland, author
- Johan Falkberget, author
- Kjartan Fløgstad, author
- Jon Fosse, author, poet and playwright
- Erik Fosnes Hansen, author and poet
- Arne Garborg, author and poet
- Hulda Garborg, poet and author
- Jostein Gaarder, author
- Kjell Hallbing, author
- Knut Hamsun, author and poet
- Jørgen Haugan, author and lecturer
- Hans Herbjørnsrud, author
- Sigurd Hoel, author
- Ludvig Holberg (1684–1754), historian and playwright
- Henrik Ibsen, playwright and poet
- Sigurd Ibsen, author and politician
- Roy Jacobsen, author
- Alexander Kielland, author
- Jan Kjærstad, author
- Vilhelm Krag, poet
- Trude Brænne Larssen, author
- Henry Lawson, author
- Jonas Lie, author
- Lise Myhre, cartoonist
- Jo Nesbø, author
- Christopher Nielsen cartoonist
- Alf Prøysen, author, poet, folk singer and entertainer
- Madina Salamova, Russian-born author
- Margit Sandemo, author
- Aksel Sandemose, author
- Dag Solstad, author
- Marta Steinsvik, author
- Sigrid Undset, author
- Halldis Moren Vesaas, poet and author
- Tarjei Vesaas, author and poet
- Aasmund Olavsson Vinje, poet and author
- Herbjørg Wassmo, author
- Johan Sebastian Welhaven, poet
- Henrik Wergeland, poet
- Johan Herman Wessel, poet
- Peter Wessel Zapffe, writer and philosopher
- Knut Ødegård, author
- Finn Øglænd, author
- Frode Øverli, cartoonist
Music
- Kai Johnny Mosaker aka Trym Torson, drummer
- Kristian Espedal aka Gaahl, singer (Gorgoroth)
- Kirsten Flagstad, soprano
- Magne Furuholmen, keyboardist and songwriter (a-ha)
- Jan Garbarek, musician
- Håvard Gimse, classical pianist
- Ernst Glaser, violinist
- Gottfried von der Goltz, violinist, conductor
- Edvard Grieg, composer
- Eivind Groven, composer
- Sigmund Groven, harmonica virtuoso, composer
- Mia Gundersen, vocalist, cabaret singer, actress
- Johan Halvorsen, composer
- Ørjan Hartveit, opera singer
- Björn Haugan, opera singer
- Dag-Are Haugan electronic musician
- Tomas Haugen aka Samoth, musician (Emperor)
- Ian Haugland, drummer (Europe)
- Morten Harket, singer
- Tone Groven Holmboe, composer
- Hans Erik Husby aka Hank von Helvete, singer (Turbonegro)
- Carl Høgset, conductor (Grex Vocalis)
- David Monrad Johansen, composer
- Øystein Eirik Johansen, musician (Jew's harp)
- Olav Kielland, conductor, composer
- Roy Khan, singer (Kamelot)
- Henning Kraggerud, violinist
- Solveig Kringlebotn, soprano
- Trond Kverno, composer
- Sissel Kyrkjebø, singer
- Jørn Lande, singer
- Andy LaPlegua, DJ
- Marit Larsen, singer-songwriter
- Sondre Lerche, singer-songwriter
- Herman Severin Løvenskiold, composer of La Sylphide ballet
- Ronni Le Tekrø, musician and guitarist
- Anni-Frid Lyngstad, singer (ABBA)
- Lene Marlin, singer-songwriter
- Tom Mathisen, humorist singer
- Maria Mena, singer-songwriter
- Egil Monn-Iversen, composer
- Henny Mürer, choreographer and dancer
- Øyvind Mustaparta, musician (Dimmu Borgir)
- Wenche Myhre, singer
- Lars Nedland, musician (Solefald)
- Joachim Nielsen aka Jokke, rock singer, poet
- Kurt Nilsen, pop singer ("World Idol" winner)
- Arne Nordheim, modernist composer
- Rikard Nordraak, composer
- Vidar Norheim, producer, songwriter and drummer in UK band Wave Machines
- John Norum, guitarist (Europe)
- Lene Nystrøm, pop singer (Aqua)
- Tord Øverland-Knudsen, bassist (The Wombats)
- Erlend Øye, musician (Kings of Convenience)
- Ole Paus, singer-songwriter
- Daniel Espelid Pedersen, guitarist
- Alf Prøysen, author and musician
- Marion Raven, singer-songwriter
- Hans Rotmo, singer-songwriter
- Kari Rueslåtten, singer
- Kate Havnevik, singer-songwriter, composter, musician, singer, pianist, guitarist, melodica player
- Alexander Rybak, singer, actor, violinist, pianist, composer (Eurovision Song Contest Winner 2009)
- Terje Rypdal, guitarist, composer
- Njål Sparbo, singer
- Knut Schreiner, musician (Turbonegro, Euroboys)
- Vibeke Stene, singer (ex-Tristania)
- Jørn Stubberud aka Necrobutcher, musician (Mayhem)
- Øystein Sunde, singer, guitarist
- Harald Sæverud, composer
- Johan Svendsen, composer
- Jahn Teigen, singer
- Arve Tellefsen, violin virtuoso
- Stian Thoresen, singer (Dimmu Borgir)
- Geirr Tveitt, composer
- Vegard Sverre Tveitan aka Ihsahn, musician (Emperor)
- Varg Vikernes, musician (Burzum) and convicted murderer
- Paul Waaktaar-Savoy, songwriter and guitarist (a-ha)
- Toki Wartooth, guitarist (Dethklok)
- Unni Wilhelmsen, singer-songwriter
- Sigurd Wongraven, singer-guitarist (Satyricon)
- Erlend Øye, musician
- Øystein Aarseth aka Euronymous, musician (Mayhem)
- Morten Abel, musician (Mods, Peltz, The September When, Solo)
- Ivar F. Andresen, basso profundo opera singer
- Svein Berge, musician (Röyksopp)
- Rolf Løvland. musician (Secret Garden)
- Christian Ingebrigtsen singer, song writer for A1
- Tommy Flaaten AKA Tommy Tee Rapper, producer, DJ
- Elling Borgersrud, Rapper
- Aslak Borgersrud, Rapper
- Martin Raknerud AKA Don Martin, Rapper and DJ
- Alex Molkom AKA Jester, Rapper and DJ.
- Magne Flemmen AKA Definite, Rapper.
See also:
Painting and sculpture
- Nils Aas, sculptor
- J.C. Dahl, painter
- Rolf Groven, painter
- Hans Gude, painter
- Theodor Kittelsen, painter
- Christian Krohg, painter
- Edvard Munch, painter
- Odd Nerdrum, painter
- Børre Sæthre, artist
- Vebjørn Sand, painter
- Christian Skredsvig, painter
- Adolph Tidemand, painter
- Gustav Vigeland, sculptor
- Erik Werenskiold, painter, illustrator
Film and comedy
- Hauk Aabel, actor
- Atle Antonsen, comedian
- Ivo Caprino, animation film creator
- Espen Eckbo, comedian, actor
- Harald Eia, comedian, actor
- Thomas Giertsen, comedian, actor
- Tanya Hansen, porn star
- Gunnar Haugan (1925–2009), character actor
- Marit Haugan, movie actress
- Solveig Haugan (1901–1953), stage and movie actress
- Harald Heide-Steen Jr., comedian, actor
- Per Heimly, photographer, jester
- Otto Jespersen, comedian
- Dina Jewel, porn star
- Kristoffer Joner, actor
- Bård Tufte Johansen, comedian
- Natassia Malthe, model, actress
- Lillian Müller, model, actress
- Arve Opsahl, comedian, actor
- Kristopher Schau, comedian
- Aud Schønemann, actress
- Bjørn Sundquist, actor
- Liv Ullmann, actress, film director
- Ingerid Vardund, actress
- Vicky Vette, porn star
- Rolv Wesenlund, comedian, actor
- Harald Zwart, film director
Exploration
- Roald Amundsen (1872–1928), polar explorer, first to reach the South Pole and the first seaman to traverse the Northwest Passage.
- Bernt Balchen (1899–1973), Norwegian-American polar aviation pioneer
- Samuel Balto, arctic explorer
- Rune Gjeldnes, polar (solo) adventurer
- Tryggve Gran (1889–1980), aviator, made the first solo flight across the North Sea
- Tormod Granheim, climber and extreme skier, 1.st ski descent Mount Everest North Face 2006.
- Thor Heyerdahl (1914–2002), explorer and anthropologist - famous for his Kon-Tiki exploration
- Helge Ingstad (1899–2001), explorer, first to prove ca. 1000 AD Viking settlements in America
- Hjalmar Johansen (1867–1913), polar explorer
- Erling Kagge, polar solo adventurer, climber
- Carl Anton Larsen (1860–1924), a Antarctic explorer and first person to ski in Antarctica on the Larsen Ice Shelf. Larsen is also considered the founder of the Antarctic whaling industry and the settlement at Grytviken, South Georgia.
- Henry Larsen Norwegian born Canadian Arctic seaman for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Second to traverse Canada's Northwest Passage in the famous St. Roch.
- Christian Leden (1882–1957), Greenland and Canada
- Jens Munk (1579–1628), explorer of the Northwest Passage
- Lars Monsen, famous adventurer
- Fridtjof Nansen (1861–1930), Arctic explorer, scientist and international statesman
- Børge Ousland, polar solo adventurer
- Finn Rønne (1899–1980), Norwegian-American antarctic explorer
- Otto Sverdrup (1854–1930), Arctic explorer
Politics
- Anton Christian Bang, former Minister of Education and Church Affairs
- Kjell Magne Bondevik, former prime minister, author, has written an autobiography.
- Per Borten, former prime minister, author
- Trygve Bratteli, former prime minister, author
- Gro Harlem Brundtland, former prime minister, former Director General of the World Health Organization, author, only female prime minister in Norway.
- Torstein Dahle
- Kristin Krohn Devold
- Odd Einar Dørum
- Jan Egeland, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator
- Jens Evensen
- Per-Kristian Foss
- Einar Gerhardsen, former prime minister, author
- Trond Giske
- Carl I. Hagen
- Kristin Halvorsen former Minister of Finance
- C. J. Hambro
- Valgerd Svarstad Haugland former leader of "Kristelig folkeparti", The Christian people's party.
- Marianne Heiberg
- Johan Jørgen Holst
- Sigurd Ibsen, author and politician
- Hilde Frafjord Johnson
- Mona Juul, diplomat
- Trygve Halvdan Lie, first UN Secretary-General
- Christian Michelsen, 1905 independence engineer
- Johan Nygaardsvold
- Jan Petersen
- Vidkun Quisling (1887–1945), Norwegian officer, traitor, and fascist politician.
- Terje Rød-Larsen, diplomat
- Erna Solberg
- Lars Sponheim
- Jens Stoltenberg, current Prime Minister
- Thorvald Stoltenberg
- Kåre Willoch, former Prime Minister, author
- See also:
Sciences, research, engineering
- Odd Aalen, statistician
- Thorleif Schjelderup-Ebbe, Norwegian zoologist
- Niels Henrik Abel (1802–1829), mathematician
- Harald Tveit Alvestrand, computer scientist
- Colin Archer (1832–1921), ship builder
- Peter Chr. Asbjørnsen, folklorist and naturalist
- Fredrik Barth, anthropologist
- Kristian Birkeland (1867–1917), physicist and industrialist
- Vilhelm Bjerknes (1862–1951), meteorologist, father of modern weather forecasting
- Viggo Brun (1885–1978), mathematician
- Sophus Bugge (1833–1907), linguist
- Fredrik Rosing Bull (1882–1925), data processing pioneer
- Ole-Johan Dahl (1931–2002), computer scientist, Turing Award laureate
- Daniel Cornelius Danielssen (1815–1894), dermatologist
- Jon Elster, political science and sociology
- Sam Eyde (1866–1940), inventor and industrialist
- Ragnar Frisch (1895–1973), economist, Nobel laureate
- Johan Galtung, peace and conflict research, The Right Livelihood Award laureate
- Ivar Giaever, physicist, biologist, Nobel laureate
- Johan Ernst Gunnerus (1718–1773), naturalist, bishop of Trondheim
- Gerhard Armauer Hansen (1841–1912), discoverer of the leprosy bacterium
- Odd Hassel (1897–1981), chemist, Nobel laureate (1969)
- Trygve Haavelmo (1911–1999), economist, Nobel laureate
- Christopher Hansteen (1784–1873), physicist and astronomer
- Johan Hjort (1869–1948), marine biologist, oceanographer, fisheries
- Peter M. Haugan, Scientist and Director of the Geophysical Institute, University of Bergen.
- Anne Stine Ingstad (1918–1997), archaeologist
- Fred Kavli, inventor, business leader, Kavli prizes
- Jørgen Alexander Knudtzon, linguist
- Lars Monrad Krohn, engineer and entrepreneur
- Finn E. Kydland, economist, Nobel laureate
- Håkon Wium Lie, computer scientist
- Sophus Lie (1842–1899), mathematician
- Jørgen Moe, folklorist, author and bishop
- Moltke Moe, folklorist
- Jan Mossin (1936–1987), financial economist
- P. A. Munch (1810–1863), historian
- Kristen Nygaard (1926–2002), computer scientist, Turing Award laureate
- Arne Næss, philosopher
- Lars Onsager (1903–1976), physical chemist, Nobel laureate
- Sverre Petterssen (1898–1974), meteorologist
- Trygve Reenskaug, computer science (model-view-controller)
- Erik S. Reinert, heterodox economist
- Stein Rokkan (1921–1979), political scientist
- Atle Selberg (1917–2007), mathematician, Fields Medal laureate
- Thoralf Skolem (1887–1963), mathematician
- Hans Ström (1726–1797), zoologist
- Eilert Sundt (1817–1875), sociologist
- Georg Sverdrup (1770–1850), linguist
- Harald Sverdrup (1888–1957), oceanographer and meteorologist
- Ludwig Sylow (1832–1918), mathematician
- Rasmus Sørnes (1893–1967), inventor and clockmaker
- Tor Sørnes, inventor keycard lock
- Vebjørn Tandberg (1904–1978), engineer and industrialist
- Niels Treschow (1751–1833), philosopher
- John Ugelstad (1921–1997), pioneering scientist within the fields of polymer and colloid chemistry.
- Caspar Wessel (1745–1818), mathematician
- Knut Yrvin, computer scientist, founder and main creator of Skolelinux
- Knut Jørgen Røed Ødegaard, astrophysicist
- Ivar Aasen (1813–1896), linguist, nynorsk proponent
- Geir Ivarsøy co-developer of the Opera web browser.
- Håkon Wium Lie web pioneer and inventor of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS).
Sports
Summer/all-year
- "Football player" refers to association football.
- John Carew, football player
- Simen Agdestein, chess player
- Kurt Asle Arvesen, cyclist
- Henning Berg, football player and manager
- Asbjørn Berg-Hansen, flyweight boxer and cyclist
- Edvald Boasson Hagen, cyclist
- Henrik Bjørnstad, golfer
- Daniel Braaten, football player
- Magnus Carlsen, chess player
- Egil Danielsen, javelin thrower, olympian
- Babe Didriksen Zaharias, Olympic athlete and LPGA golfer
- Nils Arne Eggen, football coach
- Mensen Ernst, runner
- Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå, mountain biker, olympian
- Tore André Flo, football player
- Morten Gamst Pedersen, football player
- Ailo Gaup, FMX motorcyclist
- Stian Grimseth, weightlifter
- Jon Ludvig Hammer, chess player
- Gro Hammerseng, Olympic athlete and handball player
- Alf Hansen, rower
- Frank Hansen, rower
- Joachim Hansen, MMA fighter
- Harald V of Norway, yacht sailor, olympian
- Åge Hareide, football player and coach
- Trine Hattestad, javelin thrower
- Isabell Herlovsen, woman football player
- Knut Holmann, kayaker
- Thor Hushovd, cyclist
- Nila Håkedal, beach volleyball player
- Kristian Kjelling, team handball player
- Ingrid Kristiansen, long distance runner
- Øyvind Leonhardsen, football player
- Thomas Myhre, football keeper
- Egil "Drillo" Olsen, football player and coach
- Suzann "Tutta" Pettersen, golfer
- Kjersti Plätzer, race walker
- Kjetil Rekdal, football player and manager
- Bjørn Helge Riise, football player
- Hege Riise, woman football player
- John Arne Riise, football player
- Knute Rockne, American college football coach
- Jon Rønningen, wrestler
- Henning Solberg, rally driver
- Petter Solberg, rally driver
- Trond Sollied, football player and manager
- Ole Gunnar Solskjær, football player
- Steffen Tangstad, heavy weight boxer
- Andreas Thorkildsen, javelin thrower
- Olaf Tufte, rower
- Christina Vukicevic, hurdle race runner
- Grete Waitz, long distance runner
- Susanne Wigene, middle and long distance runner
Winter sports
- Mats Zuccarello Aasen, Ice hockey player
- Kjetil André Aamodt, alpine skier
- Thomas Alsgaard, cross-country skier
- Hjalmar Andersen, speedskater
- Berit Aunli, cross-country skier
- Ivar Ballangrud, speedskater
- Anders Bardal, ski jumper, Olympic Team Bronze Medal
- Marit Bjørgen, cross-country skier
- Ole Einar Bjørndalen, biathlete
- Espen Bredesen, ski jumper
- Oddvar Brå, cross-country skier
- Kjersti Buaas, snowboarder
- Bjørn Dæhlie, cross-country skier
- Bjørn Einar Romøren, ski jumper
- Stein Eriksen, alpine skier
- Eskil Ervik, speedskater
- Frode Estil, cross-country skier
- Rolf Falk-Larssen, speedskater
- Daniel Franck, snowboarder
- Kenneth Gangnes, ski jumper
- Per Willy Guttormsen, speedskater
- Linn Githmark, curler
- Tord Asle Gjerdalen, cross-country skier
- Øystein Grødum, speedskater
- Sonja Henie, figure skater and movie star
- Tom Hilde, ski jumper, Olympic Team Bronze Medal
- Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset, cross-country skier
- Terje Håkonsen, snowboarder
- Anders Jacobsen, ski jumper, Olympic Team Bronze Medal
- Bjørg Eva Jensen, speedskater
- Knut Johannesen, speedskater
- Herman Smith-Johannsen, supercentenarian Norwegian-Canadian skiing pioneer
- Geir Karlstad, speedskater
- Stine Brun Kjeldaas, snowboarder
- Lasse Kjus, alpine skier
- Espen "Shampoo" Knutsen, ice hockey player
- Johann Olav Koss, speedskater
- Roar Ljøkelsøy, ski jumper
- Fred Anton Maier, speedskater
- Oscar Mathisen, speedskater
- Per Ivar Moe, speedskater
- Ingolf Mork, ski jumper
- Sondre Norheim, pioneer skier
- Dordi Nordby, curler
- Petter Northug, Double Olympic Gold cross- country Skier
- Simen Østensen, cross-country skier
- Hilde G. Pedersen, cross-country skier
- Øystein Pettersen, cross-country skier
- Sigurd Pettersen, ski jumper
- Liv Grete Skjelbreid Poirée, biathlete
- Johan Remen Evensen, ski jumper, Olympic Team Bronze Medal (holds the record for the longest Jump in the World, 246,5 m)
- Birger Ruud, ski jumper
- Bente Skari, cross-country skier
- Kristen Skjeldal, cross-country skier
- Vegard Sklett, ski jumper
- Sten Stensen, speedskater
- Jan Egil Storholt, speedskater
- Ådne Søndrål, speedskater
- Robert Sørlie, dogsled racer
- Magne Thomassen, speedskater
- Snowshoe Thompson, John A. Thompson. Norwegian-American skiing pioneer. Father of California skiing.
- Patrick Thoresen, ice hockey player
- Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, ice hockey player
- Tore Vikingstad, ice hockey player
- Kari Traa, freestyle skier
- Pål Trulsen, curler
- Olaf Tufte, rowing, single scull
- Thomas Ulsrud, curler
- Vegard Ulvang, cross-country skier
- Even Wetten, speedskater
- Bjørn Wirkola, ski jumper
- Hans Anton Aalien, blind cross-country skiier
Entrepreneurs, inventors, business
- Olav Thon, real estate developer
- Sigval Bergesen d.y., shipping magnate
- Sam Eyde, inventor and industrialist
- John Fredriksen, shipping magnate
- Kjell Madland, real estate developer
- Stein Erik Hagen, businessman
- Anders Jahre, shipping magnate
- Tore Lie, real estate investor
- Arne Næss Jr., businessman and mountaineer
- Fred Olsen, shipping magnate
- Hilmar Reksten, shipping magnate
- Kjell Inge Røkke, businessman and fisherman
- Johan Vaaler (1866–1910)
- Bror With (1900–1985), inventor
- Rune Gjertsen, businessman
- Petter Stordalen, businessman
- Stig Roar Myrseth, financial analyst, investor
- Thor Bjørklund, (1889–1975) inventor of the cheese slicer
World War II
- Carl Gustav Fleischer (1883–1942), first allied general to win a major victory against the Germans in World War II (Battle of Narvik).
- Gunvald Tomstad (1918–1970), resistance fighter/double agent (radio operator), that helped transmit axis ship movements to the allies. Partly responsible for helping discover and sink the Bismark.
- Jens Christian Hauge, head of Milorg
- Johan Bernhard Hjort, Gross Kreutz group, White Buses operation
- Leif Larsen aka "Shetland's Larsen", WWII naval officer
- Arne Brun Lie, resistance
- Martin Linge, commander of SOE Norwegian Independent Company 1
- Max Manus, resistance fighter
- Vidkun Quisling, WWII 'prime minister' by coup d'état
- Ole Reistad, head of Little Norway
- Henry Rinnan, Gestapo agent, leader of Sonderabteilung Lola
- Otto Ruge, Commander-in-Chief
- Arvid Storsveen, resistance, leader of XU
- Gunnar Sønsteby, resistance fighter
From other categories
- Herman Fredrik Zeiner-Gundersen, Chief of Defence of Norway and Chairman of the NATO Military Committee
- Arne Arnardo, circus performer and proprietor
- Johannes Berg, central fandom figure
- Cornelius Cruys, (1655–1727), first commander of the Russian Baltic Fleet.
- Andrew Furuseth, (1854–1938), merchant seaman and labour leader
- Lasse Gjertsen, animator and videographer
- Belle Gunness, serial killer
- Mona Grudt, Miss Universe 1990
- Anders Heger, publisher and writer
- Eva Joly, judge
- Tomm Kristiansen, journalist and foreign news correspondent
- Bjorge Lillelien, sports commnetator
- Christian Lous Lange, internationalist, Nobel peace-prize laureate
- Trude Mostue, TV-vet
- Eigil Nansen, humanist and architect
- Annette Obrestad, poker player
- Arne Rinnan, captain of MV Tampa
- Åsne Seierstad, journalist
- Peter Wessel Tordenskjold (1691–1720), naval hero of the Royal Dano-Norwegian Navy.
- Arne Treholt, civil servant, alleged spy for the KGB, convicted of treason
- Linn Ullmann, journalist and author
See also