Harald Noreng
Encyclopedia
Harald Noreng was a Norwegian literary researcher and lexicographer.
as the son of boat builder Johan Wilhelm Hanssen (1887–1967) and Kathrine Marie Pettersen (1888–1971). He changed his last name from Hanssen to Noreng in 1933. In February 1941 he married jurist Alice Schwabe-Hansen (1915–2004). They had two children, Øystein Noreng (1942–) and Astrid Noreng Sjølie (1946–).
his secondary education in 1932, and enrolled in philology at the University of Oslo
. He took the cand.philol. degree in 1940 with the thesis Nils Kjær og nyromantikken. He worked as a teacher, mainly at Oslo Cathedral School
, until 1958, except for several years as a researcher. He held research fellowship both at the University of Oslo, Lund University
and at NAVF. He took the dr.philos. degree in 1949 with the thesis Nils Kjær. Fra radikal til reaksjonær. The opponents at his thesis defence were Francis Bull
, A. H. Winsnes and Gunnar Høst
. In 1958 he was hired as a lecturer at the University of Oslo. From 1960 to 1980 he was a professor of European literature at the University of Bergen
. Among his later works the publication the complete works of Christian Braunmann Tullin between 1972 and 1976.
After retiring as a professor he led the long-time project to register and list every word used throughout the authorship of Henrik Ibsen
in an electronic database
. The project spanned from 1978 to 1986, and resulted in the 1987 release Henrik Ibsens ordskatt. Vokabular over hans diktning, edited by Noreng, Knut Hofland and Kristin Natvig. Noreng also worked with volumes one through four of the dictionary Norsk Riksmålsordbok
between 1938 and 1957, and in 1995 he wrote two extra volumes. For this he received the Fritt Ord Honorary Award in 1995. He died in February 2006 in Oslo.
Personal life
He was born in HisøyHisøy
Hisøy is an island and a former municipality in Aust-Agder county, Norway. Today, the island is a part of the municipality of Arendal. Hisøy is an island separated from the mainland by the river Nidelv. The village of Kolbjørnsvik is located across the harbor from the town of Arendal...
as the son of boat builder Johan Wilhelm Hanssen (1887–1967) and Kathrine Marie Pettersen (1888–1971). He changed his last name from Hanssen to Noreng in 1933. In February 1941 he married jurist Alice Schwabe-Hansen (1915–2004). They had two children, Øystein Noreng (1942–) and Astrid Noreng Sjølie (1946–).
Career
He finishedExamen 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...
his secondary education in 1932, and enrolled in philology at the University of Oslo
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
. He took the cand.philol. degree in 1940 with the thesis Nils Kjær og nyromantikken. He worked as a teacher, mainly at Oslo Cathedral School
Oslo katedralskole
Schola Osloensis, known in Norwegian as Oslo katedralskole and more commonly as "Katta" is an upper secondary school located in Oslo, Norway. The school offers the college preparatory studiespesialisering of the Norwegian school system...
, until 1958, except for several years as a researcher. He held research fellowship both at the University of Oslo, Lund University
Lund University
Lund University , located in the city of Lund in the province of Scania, Sweden, is one of northern Europe's most prestigious universities and one of Scandinavia's largest institutions for education and research, frequently ranked among the world's top 100 universities...
and at NAVF. He took the dr.philos. degree in 1949 with the thesis Nils Kjær. Fra radikal til reaksjonær. The opponents at his thesis defence were Francis Bull
Francis Bull
Francis Bull was a Norwegian literary historian, professor at the University of Oslo for more than thirty years, essayist and speaker, and magazine editor.-Early and personal life:...
, A. H. Winsnes and Gunnar Høst
Gunnar Høst
Gunnar Fougner Høst was a Norwegian philologist and literary historian.He was born in Kristiania as a son of Sigurd Høst and Isabella Vibe . He was a great-grandson of Ludvig Vibe, and a half-brother of Inger Alver Gløersen...
. In 1958 he was hired as a lecturer at the University of Oslo. From 1960 to 1980 he was a professor of European literature at the University of Bergen
University of Bergen
The University of Bergen is located in Bergen, Norway. Although founded as late as 1946, academic activity had taken place at Bergen Museum as far back as 1825. The university today serves more than 14,500 students...
. Among his later works the publication the complete works of Christian Braunmann Tullin between 1972 and 1976.
After retiring as a professor he led the long-time project to register and list every word used throughout the authorship of Henrik Ibsen
Henrik Ibsen
Henrik Ibsen was a major 19th-century Norwegian playwright, theatre director, and poet. He is often referred to as "the father of prose drama" and is one of the founders of Modernism in the theatre...
in an electronic database
Database
A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
. The project spanned from 1978 to 1986, and resulted in the 1987 release Henrik Ibsens ordskatt. Vokabular over hans diktning, edited by Noreng, Knut Hofland and Kristin Natvig. Noreng also worked with volumes one through four of the dictionary Norsk Riksmålsordbok
Norsk Riksmålsordbok
Norsk Riksmålsordbok is a Norwegian dictionary. The work was initiated by Riksmaalsvernet around 1920. Its first edition was completed in 1957, and was printed in four volumes. Two extra volumes were issued in 1995. Editors for volume 1, 2 and 3 were Trygve Knudsen and Alf Sommerfelt, and volume 4...
between 1938 and 1957, and in 1995 he wrote two extra volumes. For this he received the Fritt Ord Honorary Award in 1995. He died in February 2006 in Oslo.