Olaf Norli
Olaf Olsen Norli | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Kristiania, Norway |
| Died | January 21, 1959 (aged 97) |
| Occupation(s) | Publisher, bookseller |
Olaf Olsen Norli (18 August 1861 – 21 January 1959) was a prominent Norwegian publisher and bookseller.
Biography
Norli was born in Kristiania (present-day Oslo), Norway, and spent his childhood at Nordlia on Sjursøya. In 1877, he began an apprenticeship at the bookstore owned by Jacob Dybwad. By 1883, he had partnered with Olaf Huseby to launch the bookstore Olaf Huseby & Olaf Olsen Boghandel, although this collaboration was eventually dissolved.
In 1890, Norli founded his own combined retail and publishing business. This enterprise became known for publishing distinguished authors such as Peter Egge, Tryggve Andersen, and Tarjei Vesaas, the latter making his debut with Norli in 1923 before later joining Gyldendal. The publishing house also featured works by Johan Bojer, Hjalmar Christensen, and Nils Collett Vogt, alongside writers like Vetle Vislie, Olav Duun, Hans Seland, Anders Hovden, Rasmus Løland, Jens Tvedt, and Tore Ørjasæter.
A strong advocate for literature in Nynorsk, Norli produced the magazine from 1913 until 1932. He served as chairman of the Norwegian Booksellers Association from 1924 to 1927. At the age of 87, in 1948, Norli handed over ownership of his company to employees Bjarne Welle, who managed the bookstore, and Knut Stalsberg, who took charge of publishing. The firm was purchased by Johan Grundt Tanum Forlag in 1959, and later, in 1985, the bookstore was acquired by Aschehoug. Around the year 2000, the Norli brand was revived with the creation of Norli Gruppen AS.