Background
Nils Johan Rud was born in Ringsaker as the son of Mons Nilsen Rud and Emma Johanne Nergaard.
editor writer contributing editor
Nils Johan Rud was born in Ringsaker as the son of Mons Nilsen Rud and Emma Johanne Nergaard.
He is particularly known for his long-term period as editor of the magazine Arbeidermagasinet / Magasinet Foreign Alle. Rud published the children"s book Gutter på skoggang in 1928, and continued writing children"s books In 1930 came Karsemne, in 1931 Skaugumtrollet, and Tusser og troll in 1934.
He wrote Stifinner in 1935, and Et riktig mannfolk in 1936, all books for children.
The book Alle tiders største was about sports, and Rud was involved as an administrator in the club IF Frisk Asker. His first novel was Vi skal ha et barn from 1933, while his breakthrough was Jeg er ingen proletar from 1935.
Among his other novels were Oppfordring til dans (1957) and Eirene (1966). He wrote more than forty books during his career.
His last book was the novel En fremmed i speilet from 1993.
In addition to his novels Rud wrote a large number of short stories. Among his short story collections were Fri Jord from 1945, and Det var en lørdag aften from 1959. Before working in the press, Rud had a number of other jobs.
He worked as an apprentice at a soda factory and a tailor"s workshop, and as a gardener and salesman.
From 1931 to 1932 he edited the local newspaper Asker Blad. Rud then edited the magazine Arbeidermagasinet (later renamed Magasinet for Alle) from 1932 to 1970.
The magazine was especially noted for its literary quality and its promotion of the short story. As an editor of this magazine Rud read and commented on more than 100,000 manuscripts.
Rud was awarded Gyldendal"s Endowment in 1947, and again in 1974.
From 1961 he was given the state grant for artists.
He was a recognized author, being a board member of the Norwegian Authors" Union from 1936 to 1945.