Hjalmar Hjorth Boyesen papers, 1871-1966

Biography/History: 
Hjalmar Hjorth Boyesen (1848–1895) was a Norwegian-American author, educator, and literary critic known for helping introduce Norwegian culture and literature to American audiences. Born in Norway’s Valdres region, he immigrated to the United States in 1869 and quickly became involved in academic and literary circles. Boyesen taught languages at Urbana University in Ohio and later joined Cornell University’s faculty before becoming a professor of Germanic languages at Columbia College (now Columbia University).

A prolific writer, Boyesen published novels, short stories, poetry, and essays that often explored themes of immigration, identity, and cultural adaptation. His best-known novel, Gunnar: A Tale of Norse Life (1874), was one of the first works of Norwegian fiction to gain broad recognition in the United States. He died in New York City in 1895.

NAHA published Clarence Glasrud's "Hjalmar Hjorth Boyesen" in 1963. 

Scope and Content: 
Biographical miscellany, articles, poems, and stories of a Norwegian-born novelist, poet, essayist, and teacher.