Winther (Sophus Keith) interview

• Main Authors: Winther, Sophus Keith, Sundberg, Gerda; Sundberg, Edward F.
• Format: Audio
• Language: English
• Published: 1976
• Subjects: University of Washington; Dana College (Blair; Neb.); Blair; Iceland
• Online Access: http://cdm16786.contentdm.oclc.org:80/cdm/ref/collection/ohc/id/132

Soby, Denmark Sophus Keith Winther was a Danish immigrant born in 1893. His family came to the United States in 1895 and settled as farmers in Nebraska. Winther taught English Literature at the University of Washington and is known for his trilogy of novels that portray the struggles of a pioneer family in Nebraska. Winther speaks about his childhood in Nebraska and Oregon, his education, and his teaching and writing career. Subject timestamps: (0:25) Adopting middle name, (1:06) Father's first trip to US, decision to emigrate, (3:29) Parents learning to speak English, (3:45) Running farm in Massachusetts, move to Nebraska, (4:40) Description of crossing from Denmark to New York, (6:17) Arrival in New York, changing money, (6:56) Move to Massachusetts, Danish families in area, (7:58) Attending country school, learning to read, (10:16) Desire for education, Congregational Academy, (11:34) Move to Oregon, attending University of Oregon, (12:35) Educational encouragement from parents, brother's education, (13:42) Role of education in Danish tradition, (15:45) Struggle against customs as represented in Scandinavian literature, (18:52) Mother's cooking, Christmas customs, (19:52) Danish newspapers, books in home, (20:32) Danish foods- bakery, fish, meat, (22:28) Sunday visits between families, (24:17) Houses in Nebraska, mother caring for house, (25:47) Farm in Oregon, description of house, (26:41) Interest in writing, (28:00) Visits to O'Neills in Georgia, (29:09) Research for writing, novels, (31:03) University of Washington- PhD program, faculty, (32:17) Lack of involvement in Danish organizations, dedication to English literature, (34:12) Visit to Denmark, ideas about Danish life, (38:56) Visit to Iceland, (39:23) Translations of and recognition for novels in Denmark, (41:03) Monument, lectures at Dana College in Nebraska, (43:45) Description of Dana College, (46:36) Parent's citizenship, involvement in politics, (47:18) Membership in teacher's union, (48:16) Work on novel about industrialization of farms This accession is part of the Scandinavian Archives Project. The Sundberg Nordic Oral History Collection was a project emphasizing Scandinavian emigration and settlement in the US. The interviews were taped by Edward and Gerda Sundberg during a sabbatical from Cabrillo College in 1976. Sundberg D-30a, D-30b To request a high resolution or uncompressed reproduction, or to obtain permission to use any portion of this item, contact the University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections. Email: [e-mail]. Please reference the Digital ID Number.