Ole Vig


Ole Vig was a Norwegian teacher, poet, non-fiction writer, magazine editor.
He is remembered today primarily as an early proponent of universal public education.

Biography

Vig grew up on a farm near the village of Kvithammer in Nord-Trøndelag, Norway. He was the son of Ole Olsen Viganaasen and Marit Nielsdatter Walstad. He attended school in Klæbu and graduated in 1843. After graduation, Vig worked as a private tutor for the family of a parish priest in Åfjord. He subsequently held a teaching position in Kristiansund.
From 1851-1857, he served as editor of the magazine Folkevennen, which was published between the years 1852-1900 by the Norwegian literary society, Selskabet for folkeoplysningens fremme. He also published the poetry collection Norske Bondeblomster in 1851, and the history book Norges historie indtil Harald Haarfagre in 1857. His poem and national hymn was published in Salmer og Sange til Brug ved Skolelærer-Møde from 1854.
Vig suffered from the effects of tuberculosis. He died at age 34 just before Christmas 1857. He was buried Christmas Eve at Vår Frelsers gravlund in Oslo.

Ole Vig-prisen

Since 1979, the Ole Vig Prize has been awarded annually to the Norwegian youth between the ages of 20 and 35 years who has made an outstandingly cultural effort in the spirit of Ole Vig.

Selected works