Thorbjørn Egner

Playwright

Birthday December 12, 1912

Birth Sign Sagittarius

Birthplace Oslo, Norway

DEATH DATE Dec 24, 1990 (78)

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About

Norwegian author, illustrator, and songwriter most notably recognized for his children's narratives. Some of his most famous works include Karius and Bactus, a book written to teach children about proper dental care, and When the Robbers Came to Caradmom Town, which was later turned into a popular musical.

Before Fame

He studied art at the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry before beginning his career as a designer and decorator for an advertising firm. It wasn't until the 1950s that he broke into children's programming on the children's radio show Barnetimen for de minste, or Children's Hour for the Little Ones. 

Trivia

Some of his numerous honors include the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav, The Cappelen Prize, and the Spellemannprisen - often referred to as the Norwegian Grammy Awards.

Family Life

He was the son of Magnus Egner and Anna Hansen. In 1937, he married his wife Annie Eliassen, with whom he had four children. 

Associated With

The Armanda Award-winning 2016 film based on his book, Dyrene I Hakkebakkeskogen, stars pop singer Wenche Myhre in the role of Bestemor Skogmus.