Harry Kullman
Harry Kullman was a notable Swedish author renowned for his prolific contributions to literature aimed at both young adults and general readers. His diverse body of work includes historical fantasies, novels set in the American West, and particularly realistic narratives situated in early to mid-twentieth-century Stockholm. Born in Malmö, Sweden, Kullman faced early adversity after relocating to a challenging neighborhood in Stockholm, where he found solace in his local library, fostering a lifelong passion for reading. He earned a Master’s degree in economics and initially worked in advertising before transitioning to writing, inspired by societal conflicts he observed, particularly a riot involving young people.
Kullman's most acclaimed work, "Stridshästen" (The Battle Horse), explores the lives of youth in Stockholm and has been adapted into various formats, including a radio series, musical, and film. His literary themes often reflect a deep empathy for the working class and advocate for greater opportunities, resonating with readers in both Sweden and the United States. Throughout his career, Kullman received multiple prestigious awards, including the Mildred L. Batchelder Award and the Astrid Lindgren Prize, solidifying his legacy in children's and young adult literature. He passed away in 1982 in Stockholm, leaving behind a rich literary heritage.
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Subject Terms
Harry Kullman
Fiction and Children's Literature Writer
- Born: February 22, 1919
- Birthplace: Malmo, Sweden
- Died: March 1, 1982
- Place of death: Stockholm, Sweden
Biography
Prolific Swedish author Harry Kullman wrote books for both young people and adults in a surprisingly diverse range of genres. He wrote historical fantasies, books set in the American West, and, in his best-known works, realistic novels for young adults set in the Stockholm of the early to mid-twentieth century. Although he was born in Malmo, Sweden, when he was seven he moved with his family to a rough neighborhood in Stockholm. He found refuge from the harshness of his school in the neighboring library where he became an avid reader.
Kullman’s father, Emil Kullman, worked as a foreman in a chocolate factory. His mother, Olga Gustafsson Kullman, was a maid, and all of his sisters worked in the same factory as his father. After high school, Kullman became an errand boy for a time, but he was ambitious and decided to try to make something of his life by going to night school. In addition to being ambitious, Kullman was also somewhat ashamed of his father’s station in life and wanted to achieve more. He went on to receive an M.A. in economics from the University of Stockholm in 1944. After his university career he worked in advertising and married Lilian Svenningson in 1949.
Influenced at about this time by a riot that he witnessed between police and young people on the streets of Stockholm, Kullman began to write fiction. His first major work, Den svarta flaecken, follows the story of Barbro, a young woman who must decide whether to continue to be a part of a street gang or to exercise her independence and break away. Kullman left advertising in 1965 to become a full-time writer. His best-known book, especially in the United States, is Stridshästen(1971; The Battle Horse, 1981), detailing the lives and conflicts of young people in Stockholm. The novel was adapted into a radio series, a musical, and a film. Many of Kullman’s works express sympathy for the working class and a need for increased opportunities.
Kullman’s work has been widely honored both in Sweden and in the United States. He received the Mildred L. Batchelder Award in 1982 for The Battle Horseand has received both the Astrid Lindgren Prize (1970) and a Hans Christian Andersen Award commendation (1980) for the body of his work. Kullman died in Stockholm in 1982.