Jørgen Engebretsen Moe

Born in 1813 in Ringerike, Norway, he became one of the central figures in Norwegian folklore. As a young man he formed a lasting friendship with Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, and together they collected traditional stories from oral sources and published them as Norske Folkeeventyr, the landmark fairy-tale collection that made their names inseparable in Norwegian literature.

He was also a poet, theologian, and educator. Alongside his literary work, he pursued a career in the church and later served as a bishop, bringing together scholarly interests, religious life, and a deep affection for popular tradition.

He died in 1882, but his influence has lasted far beyond his lifetime. The tales associated with Asbjørnsen and Moe remain a gateway into Norwegian culture, and his role in preserving them helped secure a place for folk literature within the country’s national identity.