Magdalene Thoresen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Magdalene Thoresen
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| Born |
Anna Magdalene Kragh
3 June 1819 Fredericia, Denmark
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| Died | 28 March 1903 (aged 83) |
| Nationality | Norwegian |
| Occupation | poet, novelist, short story writer and playwright |
Anna Magdalene Thoresen (born Kragh, June 3, 1819 – March 28, 1903) was a talented writer from Denmark who became a Norwegian citizen. She wrote many poems, novels, short stories, and plays. People say her strong personality inspired characters in books by other famous writers. Her stepdaughter, Suzannah Ibsen, was married to the well-known playwright Henrik Ibsen. Some of her letters were later published in a book called Breve fra Magdalene Thoresen 1855-1901.
Magdalene Thoresen's Early Life and Family
Magdalene Thoresen was born Anna Magdalene Kragh in Fredericia, Denmark. Her father was Thomas Nielsen Kragh, a skipper, and her mother was Anna Kristine Pedersen. In 1842, she moved to Norway. There, she became a governess for a dean named Hans Conrad Thoresen. He was a widower with five children.
She married Hans Conrad Thoresen in 1843. From 1844, they lived in Bergen, a city in Norway. Magdalene became a very important part of the cultural scene in Bergen. She had four children with Hans Conrad Thoresen. Her stepdaughter, Suzannah Ibsen, later married the famous playwright Henrik Ibsen. After her husband passed away in 1858, Magdalene traveled to Copenhagen in 1861. She then lived in Christiania (now Oslo) from 1866, and later returned to Copenhagen in 1870. She died in Copenhagen in 1903.
Magdalene Thoresen's Writing Career
In Bergen, the Thoresens' home was a popular spot for writers and actors to meet. In 1850, a famous violinist named Ole Bull started a theatre in Bergen called Det Norske Theater. Magdalene Thoresen wrote four plays that were performed there, but she kept her name a secret at first.
Through the theatre, she met the playwright Henrik Ibsen. She was also good friends with Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, another important Norwegian writer. Bjørnson helped publish her first poetry book, Digte af en dame, in 1860.
Magdalene wrote several novels, including Studenten (published in 1862), Signes Historie (1864), Min Bedstemoders Fortælling (1867), and Solen i Siljedalen (1868). Her plays were also very successful. One popular play was Et rigt Parti, which was first performed at the Royal Danish Theatre in 1870. It was also shown in Stockholm and Christiania. Another successful play was Inden Døre from 1877. She also wrote travel books, sharing her adventures. These included Billeder fra Vestkysten av Norge (1872) and Billeder fra Midnatsolens Land (1882).
Magdalene Thoresen's Impact on Literature
Magdalene Thoresen's strong personality and character became an inspiration for many female characters in Norwegian literature. For example, some people believe she was the model for "Rebekka West" and "Ellida Wangel" in plays by Henrik Ibsen. These plays are Rosmersholm and The Lady from the Sea.
She also inspired characters in works by her friend Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson. These include "Maria Stuart" from his 1864 play, the wild girl "Petra" from Fiskerjenten, and "Leonarda" from his 1879 play. This shows how much her unique personality influenced the stories and characters created by other great writers of her time.
