Thorbjørn Egner

Infobox Writer
name = Thorbjørn Egner


caption = Picture of Thorbjørn Egner in his late years, sitting in front of his own drawings for Folk og røvere i Kardemomme by.
birthdate = birth date|1912|12|12|mf=y
birthplace = Oslo, Norway
deathdate = death date and age|1990|12|24|1912|12|12|mf=y
deathplace = Oslo
occupation = Artist, Author, Songwriter, Playwright, Musician and Illustrator
genre = Children's literature, Play, Novels

Thorbjørn Egner (born December 12, 1912 in Oslo, Norway, died December 24, 1990 in Oslo) was a Norwegian playwright, songwriter and illustrator known for his books, plays and musicals for children. He grew up in the working class neighbourhood Kampen in Oslo and his breakthrough was on the nationally broadcasted children's radio show "Barnetimen for de minste" in the beginning of the 1950s. He received the Cappelen award in 1979 and also won three Spellemann awards: in 1975 for "Ole Brumm og vennene hans", in 1977 for "Folk og røvere i Kardemomme by" and in 1982 for Beste Egnerviser, a collection of his songs.

Egner is particularly known for his books:
* "Karius og Baktus" (1949)
* "Klatremus og de andre dyrene i Hakkebakkeskogen" (1953)
* "Folk og røvere i Kardemomme by" (1955) (first translated as "People and Robbers of Cardemon Town" - 1976)

The latter two were made into successful musicals, with music by the author. He also illustrated his own books.

Egner died in the afternoon of Christmas Eve 1990 of a massive heart attack.