Ole Vig (6 February 1824 – 19 December 1857) was a Norwegian teacher, poet, non-fiction writer, magazine editor. He is remembered today primarily as an early proponent of universal public education.[1]
Vig grew up on a farm (Vikmarken under gården Vikan) near the village of Kvithammer in Nord-Trøndelag, Norway. He was the son of Ole Olsen Viganaasen and Marit Nielsdatter Walstad. He attended school in Klæbu and graduated in 1843. After graduation, Vig worked as a private tutor for the family of a parish priest in Åfjord (1843-1845). He subsequently held a teaching position in Kristiansund.[2]
From 1851-1857, he served as editor of the magazine Folkevennen, which was published between the years 1852-1900 by the Norwegian literary society, Selskabet for folkeoplysningens fremme.[3] He also published the poetry collection Norske Bondeblomster in 1851, and the history book Norges historie indtil Harald Haarfagre in 1857.[4][5] His poem and national hymn (Blandt alle Lande) was published in Salmer og Sange til Brug ved Skolelærer-Møde from 1854.[6]
Vig suffered from the effects of tuberculosis. He died at age 34 just before Christmas 1857. He was buried Christmas Eve at Vår Frelsers gravlund in Oslo.[7]
Since 1979, the Ole Vig Prize (Ole Vig-prisen) has been awarded annually to the Norwegian youth between the ages of 20 and 35 years who has made an outstandingly cultural effort in the spirit of Ole Vig.[8]
