author

Victor Alfred Nilsson

1867–1942

A Swedish-American writer and journalist who built his career in Minneapolis, he helped bring Scandinavian literature to English-language readers. His work ranged from history and criticism to travel writing, with a lifelong love of music and letters running through it.

1 Audiobook

Sweden

Sweden

by Victor Alfred Nilsson

About the author

Born in Östra Torp, Skåne, on March 10, 1867, Victor Alfred Nilsson later settled in Minneapolis and became a notable figure in Swedish-American journalism and literature. He studied at the University of Minnesota and earned a Ph.D. there in 1897.

Nilsson worked as editor or chief editor for several Swedish-language publications in Minneapolis, including Svenska Folkets Tidning, Minneapolis Posten, and Svensk familjejournal. He later became music critic, editor, and eventually owner-publisher of The Progress, showing how closely his literary interests and musical interests were linked.

He is remembered both for his own books and for helping introduce major Scandinavian writers to English readers through translation, including August Strindberg, Selma Lagerlöf, and Gustaf Fröding. Among his noted works are Loddföfnismal, an Eddic Study (1898), Sweden (1899), A Bayreuth Pilgrimage (1925), and A Pilgrimage to Bonn and Its Beethoven House (1927). He died in Minneapolis on April 7, 1942.