Staalesen, Gunnar

Norwegian author and playwright born in Bergen, where he still lives. Staalesen attended the Katedralskolan upper-secondary school until 1966 and graduated from the University of Bergen with a degree in English, French and Literature in 1976. Staalesen worked briefly at Den Nationale Scene theatre in Bergen 1972–1973 and returned there as information officer in 1976. After his literary debut with a series of crime novels about the private detective Varg Veum he started to write full time in 1987, although he still often collaborates with his former employer. He has been married to his wife Ellen since 1969. The have a son and a daughter.