Who was Karen Blixen? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Nick Name: Tanne

Also Known As: Baroness Karen Christenze von Blixen-Finecke

Died At Age: 77

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Bror von Blixen-Finecke

father: Wilhelm Dinesen

mother: Ingeborg Dinesen

siblings: Anders Runsti Dinesen, Ellen Dahl, Inger de Neergaard, Thomas Dinesen

Born Country: Denmark

Novelists Danish Women

Died on: September 7, 1962

place of death: Rungsted, Denmark

Cause of Death: Anorexia Nervosa

More Facts

awards: Danish Critics Prize for Literature
Tagea Brandt Rejselegat
Ingenio et Arti

Holberg Medal
De Gyldne Laurbær

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1

What is Karen Blixen famous for?

Karen Blixen, also known by her pen name Isak Dinesen, is famous for her work as a Danish author, best known for her memoir "Out of Africa" which details her life in Kenya.
2

Where did Karen Blixen live most of her life?

Karen Blixen lived most of her life in Kenya, where she owned a coffee plantation called 'Mbogani' near Nairobi.
3

What inspired Karen Blixen to write "Out of Africa?"

Karen Blixen was inspired to write "Out of Africa" by her experiences living in Kenya and managing a coffee plantation. The memoir reflects her deep connection to the land and the people of Africa.
4

How did Karen Blixen's writing style influence other authors?

Karen Blixen's writing style, characterized by vivid descriptions of African landscapes and cultures, has influenced many authors, including contemporary writers who draw inspiration from her storytelling techniques.
5

What themes are commonly explored in Karen Blixen's works?

Common themes in Karen Blixen's works include colonialism, identity, love, loss, and the relationship between humans and nature. Her writing often delves into complex human emotions and the impact of historical events on individuals.

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Childhood & Early Life

Karen Blixen was born on April 17, 1885, to a wealthy mother, Ingeborg Westenholz, and a writer and army officer father, Wilhelm Dinesen, in the Rungstedlund manor, Denmark. She had two sisters and two brothers.

In 1895, when she was nine, her father committed suicide after learning that he had fathered a child out of wedlock.

In 1902, she went to Copenhagen’s Charlotte Sode’s Art School. Around 1905, she began to publish fiction in Danish periodicals under the pen name ‘Osceola’.

In 1906, she completed her studies at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. Thereafter, she spent time in Sweden, with her cousin’s family, the Blixen-Fineckes, where she met her future husband.

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Danish Women Writers

Career

In 1912, on the suggestion of their uncle, Aage Westenholz, Karen Blixen and her fiancé, Bror, decided to go to Africa to start a coffee farm.

In 1913, she left for Kenya after Bror. In 1914, they established their first farm in M’Bagathi, Kenya and ‘The Karen Coffee Company’ was established by their uncle, Westenholz. The First World War broke out soon and the farm suffered many tragedies.

In 1916, they purchased M’Bogani, a larger farm in Ngong Hills, even though it was unsuitable for coffee cultivation due to its high elevation. She hired the local ‘Kikuyu’ tribe to work on the farm since Bror often went away on safaris leaving her to manage the farm.

Between 1917 and 1918, her farm suffered more tragedies. In despair, she began to write a book in English, thinking that it would be more profitable.

In 1921, their uncle handed over the management of the farm to her after dismissing Bror from that position. By 1931, her coffee farm had suffered heavy financial losses. So, she returned to Denmark and began her writing career.

From 1933 to 1958, she published several successful books and achieved worldwide fame.

In 1960, despite severe illness after her return to Denmark, she wrote her last book based on her experiences in Africa.

Major Works

In 1934, her first book ‘Seven Gothic Tales’ was published under the pseudonym ‘Isak Dinesen’. It achieved instant fame when it was featured on ‘Book-of-the-month Club’.

In 1937, he second and most famous book ‘Out of Africa’ was published, firmly establishing her name in the literary world.

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In 1944, she published her fourth book ‘The Angelic Avengers’ under the ‘Pierre Andrezel’ pseudonym. It was selected for the ‘Book-of-the-Month Club’ too.

In 1958, she wrote another story collection ‘Anecdotes of Destiny’ that also contained the famous story, ‘Babette’s Feast’.

In 1960, her book ‘Shadows on the Grass’ was published and selected for the ‘Book-of-the-Month Club’ again.

From 1962 to 81, several of her posthumous works like ‘Ehrengard’, ‘Letters from Africa’, etc. were published.

Awards & Achievements

In 1939, she received the women in arts prize, ‘Tagea Brandt Rejselegat'.

From 1949 to 1959, she received many honours like ‘Danish Holberg Medal’, ‘Ingenio et Arti’ medal, ‘Henrik Pontoppidan Memorial Foundation Grant’, etc.

In 1985, her book ‘Out of Africa’ was adapted into an ‘Academy Award’ winning movie of the same name. The ‘Asteroid 3318 Blixen’ was also named in her honour that year.

In 1987, one of her stories, ‘Babette’s Feast’, was adapted into another Academy Award winning movie.

In 1980 and 1996, Danish postage stamps were issued in her honour.

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In 1991, her Rungstedlund home was opened as ‘The Karen Blixen Museum’.

In 1997, the Danish 50-krone banknote featuring her portrait was released.

In 1986, the original farmhouse where she lived in Kenya was opened as ‘Karen Blixen Museum’.

Family & Personal Life

In 1912, when his twin brother, Hans, rejected her advances, Karen got engaged to Baron Bror Blixen-Finecke.

In 1914, Karen Blixen married Bror in Mombasa, Kenya, and came to be known as Baroness Blixen.

In 1915, she was diagnosed with syphilis which she had contracted from her philandering husband, and had to go to Denmark for specialist treatment.

By 1919, her marriage seemed to have run its course and she fell in love with English army officer, hunter and safari operator, Denys Finch Hatton.

Between 1920 and 25, Bror requested a divorce from her; they separated and finally divorced.

From 1926 to 31, she embarked on a long love affair with Hatton, but it ended with his sudden death in a plane crash in 1931.

She left Africa with anaemia, jaundice, arsenic poisoning, panic attacks, etc.

From 1946-56, she underwent a lumbar sympathectomy and a surgery for stomach ulcer.

On September 7, 1962, Karen Blixen died of malnutrition at Rungstedlund, Denmark.

Facts About Karen Blixen

Karen Blixen, also known by her pen name Isak Dinesen, had a great love for animals and kept several exotic pets on her farm in Africa, including a monkey named Johnny.

Blixen was an accomplished painter and often used art as a way to express her emotions and experiences.

Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks in her life, Blixen maintained a strong sense of resilience and determination, which is evident in her writing and personal letters.

Blixen had a deep appreciation for nature and the environment, often incorporating vivid descriptions of landscapes and wildlife in her works.

Blixen was known for her unique sense of style and often wore elaborate, colorful clothing that reflected her bohemian spirit and love for adventure.

Karen Blixen Biography

You wanted to know

What is Karen Blixen famous for?

Where did Karen Blixen live most of her life?

What inspired Karen Blixen to write "Out of Africa?"

How did Karen Blixen's writing style influence other authors?

What themes are commonly explored in Karen Blixen's works?