Hartvig Nissen (gymnast)

Hartvig Nissen 1857 to 1924 introduced the study of Swedish Gymnastics to the United States in 1983.

Nissen School

President of the Posse Nissen School of Gymnastics 1915 - 1921

Boston

Director of Massage Department of Boston City Hospital

Washington, D.C.

Vice Consul for Norway and Sweden

Childhood

Born on a Sunday, mid July, 1857, [probably July 19th] in "Kongshavn" -- King's Haven near Christiana (Oslo), Norway, close by the fjord with Ekeberg -- a small mountain -- right behind it. His father was owner and head principal of a private school with 700 boys and 300 girls. Hartvig was the 8th child in a family of 10 children. He graduated high school in 1872. An injured eye, from a childhood snow ball fight, prevented him from entering military school.

Youth

He was confirmed in the church in spring of 1872. As a young man he joined the following clubs: the Merchant's Club, Singing Club, Christiania [Oslo] Turnforening or Gymnastics Club. The first class that he taught in physical training was on April 15th, 1875. In the late 1870's until he left Norway in January 1883 he was considered the strongest gymnast in Norway. In about 1879 he studied the German system of gymnastics in Dresden, Saxony. His father was made chief of public schools of Norway in 1867. His father died on February 4th, 1874 of heart failure. Hartvig left Christiana [Oslo] on January 26th, 1883 for the USA. He arrived in New York City on February 15th, 1883.

Bibliography

Practical Massage and Corrective Exercises with Applied Anatomy by Hartvig Nissen
ABC of the Swedish System of Educational Gymnastics: A Practical Hand-Book for School Teachers and the Home by Hartvig Nissen
Health by Exercises
Swedish Movements and Massage Treatments
Gymnastic Systems
Rational Home Gymnastics
School Gymnastic-Card System
Practical Massage, Corrective Exercises and Applied Anatomy