Sigrid Undset

Sigrid Undset was a historical fiction author from Norway that was best known as the author of the “Kristin Lavransdatter” series of novels. She was born to internationally renowned archeologist Ingvald Undset who specialized in Iron Age Europe and minored in European pre-history and Norse. Given his work, he traveled extensively researching and conducting archeological research across the continent. Sigrid’s mother Charlotte Undset was also involved in her husband’s work as she was well versed in European and Norse culture and could speak fluent French and German. Undset was born in the small town of Kalundborg in 1882 and was the eldest of three siblings. She moved with her family to Norway when she was a two year old as her father could no longer live in Denmark due to illness. She grew up in Oslo the capital and the very early years of her life were influenced by the extensive historical knowledge her father had accumulated and his illness. From very early on, Sigrid learned about Scandinavian folk songs and Norse sagas and most importantly about archeological secrets.