Background
Johan Welhaven was born in Bergen, Norway in 1807. His grandfather, Johan Andrew Welhaven (1748–1811) was a teacher and later assistant to the pastor at St Mary's Church (Mariakirken), which served the city's German community. The author's father, Johan Ernst Welhaven (1775–1828), was a pastor at St. George's Hospital, (St. Jørgens spedalskehospital), while his mother, Else Margaret Cammermeyer, was the daughter of Johan Sebastian Cammermeyer, resident chaplain of The Cross Church (Korskirken).
Johan Welhaven was the member of an accomplished family which included his sister socialite Maren Sars, the wife of theologian and biologist Michael Sars (1805–1869), and mother of historian, Ernst Sars (1835–1917), marine biologist Georg Ossian Sars (1837–1927) and mezzosoprano singer Eva Nansen (1858–1907). Johan Welhaven was himself the father of Norwegian architect Hjalmar Welhaven.
Welhaven attended Bergen Cathedral School from 1817-25. He first studied theology. However, after his final exams at the University of Christiania in 1827, he devoted himself to literature. In 1836 he had visited France and Germany; and in 1858 he went to Italy to study archaeology.
In 1840, he was appointed lecturer in philosophy at the Royal Frederik's University in Christiania and delivered a series of lectures on literary subjects. He was employed in 1843 and became professor in 1846. Welhaven spent 26 years lecturing in philosophy at the University from 1840 to 1866. His influence was extended by his appointment as director of the Society of Arts. He died in Christiania in 1873.
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