UPPDAL, KRISTOFER OLIVER

born Feb. 19, 1878, Beitstad, Nor. died Dec. 26, 1961, Olbu proletarian Norwegian novelist whose major work is the 10-volume Dansen gjenom skuggeheimen (191124; The Dance Through the World of Shadows), which deals with the development of the Norwegian industrial working class from its peasant origin. Uppdal's own life recapitulates the history of Norway's labour movement in his rise from farm boy to skilled worker and eventually labour leader. He published his first poems in 1905, then devoted his most productive years to his powerful and monumental study of the subtle class distinctions within the working class. His later years were unproductive as a result of mental illness.