Frithjof Sælen (writer)
Encyclopedia
Frithjof Sælen, Jr. was a Norwegian writer, illustrator and member of the resistance during World War II.
as the son of Frithjof Sælen (1892–1975) and Astrid Weltzin (1892–1978). His father was an accomplished gymnast, with an Olympic gold medal from 1912. Sælen Jr. was a swimmer during his youth. He took the examen artium
in 1937, studied one year at commerce school and then moved to Oslo to study drawing and advertising.
reached Norway on 9 April 1940, with the German invasion
, he volunteered and fought for Norway in the ensuing battles
. He joined Norwegian forces for the first time at Voss
and fought in Hallingdal
. After the capitulation of the regular Norwegian forces, he joined the secret resistance movement
as a member of Milorg
. Later he became the leader of Mil.org., Bergen District, from May 15, 1943 until February 26, 1944 when he left the country.
In 1941 Sælen famously wrote and illustrated the book Snorre Sel ('Snorri the Seal'). The book, subtitled "A fable in colors for adults and children", was a subtle satire
on Nazi Germany
, and was widely read and later translated to several languages. It was soon banned by the Nasjonal Samling usurpant authorities. In 1942 he followed with Tre kalde karer ('Three cold Fellows'), caricaturing the Axis Powers Germany, Italy and Japan. This book remained legal, but was sold under the counter in bookstores. He fled Norway in 1944, travelling the Norwegian Sea
with Leif "Shetlands-Larsen" Larsen
. In the United Kingdom he worked for the Norwegian High Command
. He was decorated with the Defence Medal.
in 1947. The book sold well (500,000 copies as of 2004) and was made into a motion picture. The children's book En motig maur ('A brave Ant') followed in 1948. Sælen cited Walt Disney
as his inspiration as an illustrator. In 1975 he issued the book Tyske tanks var sør i dalen, about his fighting experiences. He also wrote the history of several Bergen-based companies. In addition to writing, he worked with marketing, establishing a marketing bureau Marketing-Byrået with a colleague in 1955, and a consulting company in 1974.
From 1994 until his death, he suffered from Parkinson's disease
, and he spent his last year in a retirement home in Bergen
. He died on New Year's Day 2004.
Early life
He was born in BergenBergen
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway with a population of as of , . Bergen is the administrative centre of Hordaland county. Greater Bergen or Bergen Metropolitan Area as defined by Statistics Norway, has a population of as of , ....
as the son of Frithjof Sælen (1892–1975) and Astrid Weltzin (1892–1978). His father was an accomplished gymnast, with an Olympic gold medal from 1912. Sælen Jr. was a swimmer during his youth. He took the examen artium
Examen artium
Examen artium was the name of the academic certification conferred in Denmark and Norway, qualifying the student for admission to university studies. Examen artium was originally introduced as the entrance exam of the University of Copenhagen in 1630...
in 1937, studied one year at commerce school and then moved to Oslo to study drawing and advertising.
World War II
When World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
reached Norway on 9 April 1940, with the German invasion
Operation Weserübung
Operation Weserübung was the code name for Germany's assault on Denmark and Norway during the Second World War and the opening operation of the Norwegian Campaign...
, he volunteered and fought for Norway in the ensuing battles
Norwegian Campaign
The Norwegian Campaign was a military campaign that was fought in Norway during the Second World War between the Allies and Germany, after the latter's invasion of the country. In April 1940, the United Kingdom and France came to Norway's aid with an expeditionary force...
. He joined Norwegian forces for the first time at Voss
Voss
is a municipality in Hordaland county, Norway. It is part of the traditional district of Voss. The administrative center of the municipality is the village of Vossevangen....
and fought in Hallingdal
Hallingdal
Hallingdal is a valley and traditional district in Buskerud county in Norway. It consists of the municipalities of Flå, Nes, Gol, Hemsedal, Ål and Hol.-History:Ancient routes went to Vestlandet through Valdres and Hallingdal and down Røldal to Odda...
. After the capitulation of the regular Norwegian forces, he joined the secret resistance movement
Norwegian resistance movement
The Norwegian resistance to the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany began after Operation Weserübung in 1940 and ended in 1945. It took several forms:...
as a member of Milorg
Milorg
Milorg was the main Norwegian resistance movement in World War II....
. Later he became the leader of Mil.org., Bergen District, from May 15, 1943 until February 26, 1944 when he left the country.
In 1941 Sælen famously wrote and illustrated the book Snorre Sel ('Snorri the Seal'). The book, subtitled "A fable in colors for adults and children", was a subtle satire
Satire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
on Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
, and was widely read and later translated to several languages. It was soon banned by the Nasjonal Samling usurpant authorities. In 1942 he followed with Tre kalde karer ('Three cold Fellows'), caricaturing the Axis Powers Germany, Italy and Japan. This book remained legal, but was sold under the counter in bookstores. He fled Norway in 1944, travelling the Norwegian Sea
Norwegian Sea
The Norwegian Sea is a marginal sea in the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of Norway. It is located between the North Sea and the Greenland Sea and adjoins the North Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Barents Sea to the northeast. In the southwest, it is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a...
with Leif "Shetlands-Larsen" Larsen
Leif Larsen
Leif Andreas Larsen DSO, DSC, CGM, DSM and Bar , popularly known as ShetlandsLarsen, was a Norwegian sailor and the most highly decorated allied naval officer of World War II...
. In the United Kingdom he worked for the Norwegian High Command
Norwegian High Command
The Norwegian High Command was Norway's top military leadership from 1970 to 2003. It was first established in Northern Norway in 1940 by General Otto Ruge. It was then re-established by the Norwegian Government-in-exile in London in 1942, lasting until 1946...
. He was decorated with the Defence Medal.
Post-war life
In 1946 he married Gerd Sundal (b. 1918). He wrote a biography of Leif LarsenLeif Larsen
Leif Andreas Larsen DSO, DSC, CGM, DSM and Bar , popularly known as ShetlandsLarsen, was a Norwegian sailor and the most highly decorated allied naval officer of World War II...
in 1947. The book sold well (500,000 copies as of 2004) and was made into a motion picture. The children's book En motig maur ('A brave Ant') followed in 1948. Sælen cited Walt Disney
Walt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
as his inspiration as an illustrator. In 1975 he issued the book Tyske tanks var sør i dalen, about his fighting experiences. He also wrote the history of several Bergen-based companies. In addition to writing, he worked with marketing, establishing a marketing bureau Marketing-Byrået with a colleague in 1955, and a consulting company in 1974.
From 1994 until his death, he suffered from Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system...
, and he spent his last year in a retirement home in Bergen
Bergen
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway with a population of as of , . Bergen is the administrative centre of Hordaland county. Greater Bergen or Bergen Metropolitan Area as defined by Statistics Norway, has a population of as of , ....
. He died on New Year's Day 2004.