Jens Nilssøn

Who is Jens Nilssøn?

Jens Nilssøn was the Bishop of Oslo from 1580 to 1600, a poet, author and one of the Oslo humanists, a group of men who lived in Eastern Norway in the 16th century who through their scholarly studies represented the breakthrough of humanism in Norway.

As Bishop, he oversaw the completion of the Reformation in his diocese. He published several books in Latin and Danish and corresponded with other leading personalities of the time in Denmark-Norway, among them Tycho Brahe. Due to his prolific writing, he is the Norwegian person who lived before 1600 who is best known today. He is known for his visitation books, which paint a unique picture of Norway in the 16th century. He also wrote poetry in Latin, was interested in natural sciences, particularly astronomy, and had a passion for Norwegian prehistory. He preserved several medieval manuscripts, including Jǫfraskinna, which included parts of Heimskringla.

His brother, Anders Nilssøn, was the burgomaster of Oslo.