Jens Zetlitz

Who was Jens Zetlitz?

Jens Zetlitz was a Norwegian priest and poet.

Born in Stavanger, at the close of the 18th century he traveled to Copenhagen to study theology. He became a member of Det Norske Selskab, and became well known for his entertaining songs and drinking songs. He returned to Norway after completing his studies and served as vicar in Vikedal and later Kviteseid until he died.

He married Maren Elisabeth Bull. His daughter Axeliane Christine married Jacob Kielland, one of the wealthiest people in Norway. The couple had five sons and five daughters. Through this marriage Jens Zetlitz had a large number of notable descendants; novelist Alexander Kielland was his great-grandnephew. The pop singer Bertine Zetlitz is the most famous currently living descendant.

A street in Stavanger is named for Jens Zetlitz today, as is the Zetlitz hall in Stavanger Concert Hall.