Rolf Stenersen

Norwegian businessman Rolf Stenersen had multiple interests, which saw him become a non-fiction writer, essayist, novelist, playwriter, art collector, and Olympic athlete. In his younger days Stenersen was a good track sprinter, winning two national titles in the 200 metres (1919–20) and one in the 4 x 100 metres relay (1920). These performances earned him a place on the Norwegian Olympic team for the 1920 Antwerpen Games where he ran in the 100 metres, 200 metres, and 4 x 100 metres relay. As a teenager he was already dabbling in the stock market, earning lots of money in the maritime sector by the time he turned 21, in addition to running his own rubber business.

Stenersen was a close friend of Edvard Munch and later became his financial adviser. He also collected Munch’s paintings, having one of the largest collections of his work by the mid-1920s and organising an exhibition of his work in 1926. As a writer Stenersen did essays on several Norwegian artists, wrote a collection of short fictional stories, wrote a book on economics, and authored a play. During World War II his books were banned by the Nazis, with Stenersen forced to flee to Sweden. He was later bestowed with multiple honours during his lifetime including the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav in 1953 and the St. Hallvard Medal in 1977.

Personal Bests: 100 – 11.0 (1921); 200 – 22.6 (1920).