Breda began his academic career in Norway. He received his A.B. degree from Gjertsen’s Classical School in Christiania in 1870, and then studied at the University of Christiania where he earned his A.M. degree in 1871.
Olaus J. Breda, 1853-1916
Biography
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Olaus Jensen Breda was born in Horten,
Norway, on April 29, 1853, and died on December 27, 1916 in Christiania (Oslo).
Breda began his academic career in Norway. He received his A.B. degree from Gjertsen’s Classical School in Christiania in 1870, and then studied at the University of Christiania where he earned his A.M. degree in 1871. |
From there he relocated to the United States, attending Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, receiving his Candidate of Theology degree in 1875. After spending two years as a Lutheran pastor in St. Paul, Minnesota, Breda returned to Norway and the University of Christiania to study philology.
In 1879, Breda returned to the United States to be a professor at Luther College, instructing classes in Latin, Greek, History, Norwegian, and German. In his last year at Luther College, he served as College Librarian.
Breda returned to Europe in 1882, and spent the next two years studying at the Universities of Christiania, Copenhagen, and Uppsala. Returning yet again to the United States in 1884, he secured a lengthy professorship at the University of Minnesota. In addition to instructing Latin, Breda was the university’s first Professor of Scandinavian Languages and Literature. He continued to teach in Minnesota until 1899, when he left to return to Norway, this time remaining there permanently.
Breda spent the last years of his life as a teacher at Frogner’s Gymnasium in Christiania. From 1903-1906, he also simultaneously taught at the Military Academy there. He continued to teach at the Gymnasium until his death in 1916.
Ref: Nelson, David T. Luther College, 1861-1961. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House, 1961; Norlie, O.M. et al. Luther College Through Sixty Years, 1861-1921. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House, 1922; Malmin, Rasmus et al. Who’s Who Among Pastors in all the Norwegian Lutheran Synods of America, 1843-1927. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House, 1928.
Source: http://lis.luther.edu/preus40th/head-librarians/breda