Jørgen Moe

Jørgen Engebretsen Moe (22 April 1813 – 27 March 1882) was a Norwegian folklorist, bishop, poet and author. He is best known for the Norske Folkeeventyr, a collection of Norwegian folk tales which he edited in collaboration with Peter Christen Asbjørnsen.

Jørgen Engebretsen Moe was born at the farm of Mo, at Hole in Ringerike. He was the son of local farmer and politician Engebret Olsen Moe. He first met Asbjørnsen while the two were preparing for exams at Norderhov Rectory and soon found they had a shared interest in folklore.

From 1841 Moe traveled almost every summer through the southern parts of Norway, collecting traditions in the mountains. In 1845 he was appointed professor of theology in the Norwegian Military Academy. However, Moe had long intended to take holy orders, and in 1853 he did so. He became for ten years a resident chaplain in Krødsherad at Olberg Church and Holmen Church in Sigdal.

At his first parish he found inspiration for many of his most famous poems, like den gamle Mester (The Old Master) and Sæterjentens Søndag (Sunday at the Mountain Pastures). In 1863 he moved to Drammen and became parish priest of Bragernes Church, then in 1870 he moved again to Vestre Aker, close to Christiania (now Oslo). In 1874, he became bishop in the Diocese of Agder and Telemark based at Kristiansand Cathedral (1874–1881). He was a much beloved bishop, and his teaching had a great impact on his contemporaries.

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