Profile of the Day: Nordahl Grieg

Nordahl Grieg

On this day in 1902, Norwegian writer and poet Nordahl Grieg was born. A popular author during his lifetime, Grieg is remembered as a hero of Norway for his resistance to Nazi occupation during World War II.

Grieg was born Johan Nordahl Brun Grieg on November 1, 1902 in Bergen, Norway to Peter Lexau Grieg and Helga Vollan. He was named after his third great grandfather, Johan Nordahl Brun, who was a Bishop, poet, and politician. Grieg is also a distant relative of composer Edvard Grieg, who is considered to be one of the leading composers of the Romantic era. They are second cousins twice removed.

He found success and popularity as a published poet, but he became a controversial figure during the 1930s for his support of the Soviet Union. At the outbreak of World War II, Grieg committed himself to working against the Nazis. During the war, Grieg served Norway’s government-in-exile in Britain. Through his poetry and patriotic radio broadcasts, Grieg became a leading voice of Norwegian resistance to Nazi occupation. He was commissioned into the Norwegian Armed Forces and served as a war correspondent. On the night of December 2, 1943, Grieg died after being shot down during an Allied bombing raid on Berlin. Today, he is remembered in Norway as a hero for his service during the war.

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