Verdens Gang (1868-1923 newspaper)
Encyclopedia
Verdens Gang is a former Norwegian newspaper
, issued in Oslo
from 1868 to 1923.
It was established as a weekly magazine in 1868, later expanded to three issues a week, and was issued daily from 1885. It was the most widespread political newspaper in Norway for many years, and had considerable influence. The founder and first editor-in-chief was Peder Olsen, who edited the newspaper until his death in 1876. Later Prime Minister
Johan Sverdrup
was editor from 1876 to 1878, and Ola Thommessen
from 1878 to 1910. Øvre Richter Frich
held the position from 1910 to 1911, and Axel Otto Normann
from 1915 to 1922.
The newspaper was particularly important during the editorship of Ola Thommessen. In addition to turning it into a daily newspaper, he consolidated its ties with the Liberal Party (founded 1884), giving Verdens Gang a strong position in the political scene. Internationally known writers like Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson
and Georg Brandes
contributed to the newspaper. When Thommessen left in 1910, Verdens Gang declined rapidly, as he brought much of the staff with him, immediately forming a competitor Tidens Tegn
. The background was a conflict between Thommessen and Olaf Madsen, an important shareholder and member of the board of directors. Madsen's primary goal was economic profit, and according to Thommessen, Madsen meddled in the affairs of the newspaper, inflicting upon the editorial independence
.
Thommessen won widespread support in the conflict, and Tidens Tegn quickly became Norway's largest newspaper, and attracted a variety of known writers, including Sven Elvestad
, Olaf Bull
, Herman Wildenvey
and Selma Lagerlöf
. The situation for Verdens Gang was worsened by the depression
that followed World War I
. In 1920 it absorbed another newspaper Norske Intelligenz-Seddeler
, but in 1923 it became defunct—as it was absorbed by Tidens Tegn.
The name Verdens Gang
was revived in 1945, used by a new newspaper. The new Verdens Gang, often shortened VG, became Norway's largest newspaper in 1981.
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
, issued in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
from 1868 to 1923.
It was established as a weekly magazine in 1868, later expanded to three issues a week, and was issued daily from 1885. It was the most widespread political newspaper in Norway for many years, and had considerable influence. The founder and first editor-in-chief was Peder Olsen, who edited the newspaper until his death in 1876. Later Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Norway
The Prime Minister of Norway is the political leader of Norway and the Head of His Majesty's Government. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Stortinget , to their political party, and ultimately the...
Johan Sverdrup
Johan Sverdrup
Johan Sverdrup was a Norwegian politician from the Liberal Party. He was the first Prime Minister of Norway after the introduction of parliamentarism. Sverdrup was Prime Minister from 1884 to 1889.- Early years :...
was editor from 1876 to 1878, and Ola Thommessen
Ola Thommessen
Ola Thommessen was a Norwegian newspaper editor. He was the long-time editor of Verdens Gang and Tidens Tegn.-Early and personal life:...
from 1878 to 1910. Øvre Richter Frich
Øvre Richter Frich
Øvre Richter Frich , full name Gjert Øvre Richter Frich, was a Norwegian reporter, newspaper editor and crime writer...
held the position from 1910 to 1911, and Axel Otto Normann
Axel Otto Normann
Axel Otto Normann was a Norwegian journalist, newspaper editor, theatre critic and theatre director.He was born in Fredrikstad as the son of a wholesaler. He finished his secondary education in 1901, and studied philology at the University of Kristiania and for half a year at Sorbonne University,...
from 1915 to 1922.
The newspaper was particularly important during the editorship of Ola Thommessen. In addition to turning it into a daily newspaper, he consolidated its ties with the Liberal Party (founded 1884), giving Verdens Gang a strong position in the political scene. Internationally known writers like Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson
Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson
Bjørnstjerne Martinius Bjørnson was a Norwegian writer and the 1903 Nobel Prize in Literature laureate. Bjørnson is considered as one of The Four Greats Norwegian writers; the others being Henrik Ibsen, Jonas Lie, and Alexander Kielland...
and Georg Brandes
Georg Brandes
Georg Morris Cohen Brandes was a Danish critic and scholar who had great influence on Scandinavian and European literature from the 1870s through the turn of the 20th century. He is seen as the theorist behind the "Modern Breakthrough" of Scandinavian culture...
contributed to the newspaper. When Thommessen left in 1910, Verdens Gang declined rapidly, as he brought much of the staff with him, immediately forming a competitor Tidens Tegn
Tidens Tegn
Tidens Tegn is a former Norwegian newspaper, issued in Oslo from 1910 to 1941.-Editors:The founder and first editor-in-chief of Tidens Tegn was Ola Thommessen, who edited the newspaper until 1917. Thommessen had recently left the editor chair of Verdens Gang in protest, bringing much of Verdens...
. The background was a conflict between Thommessen and Olaf Madsen, an important shareholder and member of the board of directors. Madsen's primary goal was economic profit, and according to Thommessen, Madsen meddled in the affairs of the newspaper, inflicting upon the editorial independence
Editorial independence
Editorial independence is the freedom of editors to make decisions without interference from the owners of a publication. Editorial independence is tested, for instance, if a newspaper runs articles that may be unpopular with its advertising clientele....
.
Thommessen won widespread support in the conflict, and Tidens Tegn quickly became Norway's largest newspaper, and attracted a variety of known writers, including Sven Elvestad
Sven Elvestad
Sven Elvestad was a Norwegian journalist and author. He is best known for his detective stories, which were published under the pen name Stein Riverton and translated to several languages, including German and English.Elvestad was born as Kristoffer Elvestad Svendsen, in Fredrikshald , a small...
, Olaf Bull
Olaf Bull
Olaf Jacob Martin Luther Breda Bull or Olaf Bull was a Norwegian poet. He was born on November 10, 1883 in Kristiania , Norway, and died on June 29, 1933.-His life:...
, Herman Wildenvey
Herman Wildenvey
Herman Wildenvey , born Herman Theodor Portaas, was one of the most prominent Norwegian poets of the twentieth century. During his lifetime he published 44 books of his own poetry, in addition to translations of William Shakespeare, Ernest Hemingway, and Heinrich Heine.- Biography :Wildenvey was...
and Selma Lagerlöf
Selma Lagerlöf
Selma Ottilia Lovisa Lagerlöf was a Swedish author. She was the first female writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, and most widely known for her children's book Nils Holgerssons underbara resa genom Sverige ....
. The situation for Verdens Gang was worsened by the depression
Depression (economics)
In economics, a depression is a sustained, long-term downturn in economic activity in one or more economies. It is a more severe downturn than a recession, which is seen by some economists as part of the modern business cycle....
that followed World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. In 1920 it absorbed another newspaper Norske Intelligenz-Seddeler
Norske Intelligenz-Seddeler
Norske Intelligenz-Seddeler is a former Norwegian newspaper, issued in Oslo from 1763 to 1920. Norske Intelligenz-Seddeler was the first newspaper in Norway, and its first issue came out on 25 May 1763....
, but in 1923 it became defunct—as it was absorbed by Tidens Tegn.
The name Verdens Gang
Verdens Gang
Verdens Gang , generally known under the abbreviation VG, is a Norwegian tabloid newspaper...
was revived in 1945, used by a new newspaper. The new Verdens Gang, often shortened VG, became Norway's largest newspaper in 1981.