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Olaf Norli

1861 – 1959

Norwegian bookseller and publisher

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About Olaf Norli

Lived 1861 – 1959 (aged 97). Olaf Norli was a Norwegian publisher and bookseller.

Olaf Olsen Norli (18 August 1861 – 21 January 1959) was a Norwegian bookseller and publisher.

In 1890, he started and which combined a bookstore with a publishing house. Peter Egge and Tryggve Andersen both debuted their work at Norlis. Tarjei Vesaas debuted at Norli in 1923, but later went over to the publishing house Gyldendal. Johan Bojer and Hjalmar Christensen also wrote published works before moving to a larger publisher. Nils Collett Vogt published three poetry collections at Norli. Vetle Vislie, Olav Duun, Hans Seland, Anders Hovden, Rasmus Løland, Jens Tvedt and Tore Ørjasæter all published with Norlis.

Olaf Norli was known for publishing several titles in Nynorsk, and published the magazine between 1913 and 1932. He chaired the Norwegian Booksellers Association from 1924 to 1927. In 1948, when Olaf Norli was 87 years old, he left the firm to two trusted employees. Bjarne Welle (1878–1949) took over the bookshop and Knut Stalsberg (1888–1980) led the publishing. In 1959 Johan Grundt Tanum Forlag (established 1933) acquired the company. The bookshop was taken over by Aschehoug in 1985. The name resurfaced around 2000, when Norli Gruppen AS was established.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Also known as
Olaf Olsen Norli

People in Olaf Norli's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Olaf Norli's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Olaf Norli?

Norwegian bookseller and publisher

When was Olaf Norli born?

Olaf Norli was born on 18 August 1861.

When did Olaf Norli die?

Olaf Norli died on 21 January 1959.

What was Olaf Norli's occupation?

Olaf Norli was a publisher and bookseller.

What nationality was Olaf Norli?

Olaf Norli was Norwegian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Olaf Norli

· Wikidata: Q7082986

· DBpedia: Olaf Norli

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Olaf Norli. https://biography.guide/olaf-norli/

MLA: "Olaf Norli." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/olaf-norli/.

Chicago: "Olaf Norli." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/olaf-norli/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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