Simon Johnson Papers

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: OGLMC-612

Scope and Contents

The Simon Johnson Papers contain translations of ballads, poems, and short stories written by Johnson. The collection also includes biographical publications regarding Johnson, plus commentaries on his writing style and his fictionalized accounts of Norwegian-American life in the Red River Valley. Ten photographs are also included.

Dates

created: 1874-1980

Creator

Johnson, Simon (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Biographical or Historical Information

Simon Johnson, also known as the "Prairie's Author," was born September 26, 1874, in Øyer, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway. In 1883, his family emigrated, settling in Norway Township, Traill County, near Hillsboro, North Dakota. As the only male child, Johnson remained on the family farm until the death of his mother in 1919. By this point, he had already published four novels as well as several stories. In 1911, he was awarded the Norwegian Literary Award for the piece "Lonea." Johnson then went to Grand Forks, North Dakota, to edit Normanden, a Norwegian-language newspaper. He resigned in 1924 and later become editor of the Decorah Posten in Decorah, Iowa, in 1929. After 1925, Johnson published no additional major works. Simon Johnson died in July 1970.

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