If you feel that you can't name a famous Norwegian, before you leave on a trip to Norway it's because you haven't brainstormed enough yet. By thinking a little or exploring the following list, some names will probably stand out to you.
Erik the Red was a famous viking leader whose name you will often hear during your trip to Norway. He was known for being banned from the country for a history of murder. He had to settle in Greenland and remains a true legend today.
Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve was an astronomer recognised for various works including a famous geodetic arc.
A native of Bergen, Ole Bull has earned a good reputation beyond his country's borders for his talents as a violinist.
Sondre Norheim should be known by everyone who loves skiing. In fact, he invented telemark skiing.
Henrik Ibsen was a very misunderstood poet in his time. He specialised in the observation of the middle class in his country.
Edvard Grieg was undoubtedly the best-known composer. His reputation went beyond borders and thus he spread his talent throughout Europe.
Knut Hamsun was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1920. He had quite a dark side, as we know that he was a great nationalist and strong admirer of the Nazis.
Fridtjof Nansen was one of the greatest Norwegian explorers. Among his most famous expeditions, for example, he crossed Greenland on skis and almost reached the North Pole with a dog sled expedition. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922.
Edvard Munch is surely the best-known Norwegian painter. He apprenticed in Paris, and his style was at the very least, downright morbid.
With Fridtjof Nansen, Roald Amundsen was one of the great explorers of his time. After expeditions in Antarctica and the Bering Strait, he managed to reach the South Pole in 1911.
Winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1928, Sigrid Undset was one of the most famous writers from Norway. She is the author of the famous "Kristin Lavransdatter" trilogy.
Liv Ullmann is one of the most famous actresses in Norway. Her reputation has also gone beyond national borders, thanks in particular to her role in the "Kristin Lavransdatter" trilogy, as well as roles in "Scenes from a Marriage", "The Serpent's Egg", "Cries and Whispers", "Autumn Sonata" and "Persona".
One of the most famous people of Norwegian descent to have ever lived in the United Kingdom was the famous author, Roald Dahl. Although he was born in Wales, both of his parents were from Norway. He is most well-known for his popular children's books, such as "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", "Matilda" and "James and the Giant Peach" among others.
Jazz enthusiasts have probably heard of the famous saxophonist, Jan Garbarek.
Jostein Gaarder is a great philosopher and author of the book "Sophie's World", which has become a true best-seller.
Through her songs, Mari Boine will lure you into the world of traditional music.
Again among writers, maybe Jon Fosse has captivated you in his works "A Summer's Day", "Melancholia" and "Someone is Going to Come".
Fans of adventures in the far north absolutely know Borge Ousland who has risen to the rank of honour and national hero.
Football fanatics also know John Carew and Ole Gunnar Solskjær.