Marta Schumann (1919–1994)

Marta Schumann was born in Norddal, Norway, and grew up in a cultured, arts-loving home.
Her parents encouraged her interest in history and in writing. She worked as a telecom operator for nearly 30 years before making her literary debut at age 50 in 1969 with the 18th-century historical novel Korset under Skuggefjellet (Cross Under the Shadow Mountain). It won the author acclaim and the Sunnmøre Prize, and became the first book in a trilogy about the Sundsvall countryside. After she became a full-time writer, she also published poetry and short stories, and was a popular lecturer and public speaker. She also worked to support regional theater and the Molde Jazz Festival, and helped establish Naustet Vårt, a forum for poetry, performance, and art.