Knut Hamsun

Nobel Prize in Literature 1920

Knut Hamsun (1859–1952) was born in Gudbrandsdalen and grew up in poverty in Hamarøy, Norway. He published his highly acclaimed novel Hunger (1890), which was followed by Mysteries (1892), Pan (1894), Victoria (1898) and Fruits of the Earth (1917) — masterpieces of early modern literature, which earned him the Nobel Prize.
A controversial figure, Hamsun experienced both literary glory and, towards the end of his life, the most vehement repudiation from his contemporaries, which was due to the author's sympathies for the Nazi regime. After the war, these positions led to his trial for treason. He would end his days in utter poverty.