Laura Fitinghoff

Laura Mathilde Fitinghoff (born Laura Mathilda Bernhardina Runsten; 14 March 1848 – 17 August 1908) was a Swedish writer, after she was estranged from her husband. She was known for her children's books; particularly Children from Frostmofjället, which became a 1945 film.

Life She was born in 1848. Her father, Jonas Bernhard Runsten, was a pastor and a member of parliament. She was brought up on a large farm in Sollefteå where she studied astronomy, religion, literature,

She married Conrad Fitinghoff who was a wealthy businessperson. They lived in a large house in Ekensholm. Fitinghoff's only surviving child Rosa was born in Torsåker parish. Conrad was an indulgent father who gave Rosa a herd of reindeer and a steamboat as a baptismal gift. However, by the time Rosa was eight the family fortune was gone and they moved to a smaller house in Blekinge. Rosa was devoted to her mother. Her first book was about five sisters who, like her, lived in a vicarage and A small world among the mountains was said to be the first book in Swedish for children with a Nordic setting. Her following books were usually aimed at women and children and like A small world among the mountains they were frequently based on her own experiences. Her books illustrators included Jenny Nyström and Hilma af Klint and in 1891 her novel Vårluft won second prize in a literary competition. )

Children from Frostmofjället was her best known book. It concerned seven poor orphans travelling together with a goat, their food source, during the 1860s in northern Sweden. The story was translated into a number of languages and made into the 1945 film Barnen från Frostmofjället. As well, the goat character, Gullspira, would, in time, be the namesake of an award for Swedish children's filmmakers.

She died in 1908 and her daughter Rosa who had become her mother's assistant went on to also become a writer. Rosa paid for her father's remains to join Laura's in 1938

In 1927 her book, Children from Frostmofjället, was translated into English as Children of the Moor by Siri Andrews.

The Laura Fitinghoff Society, founded in 2008,