Hedvig Ibsen

Hedvig Cathrine Ibsen (married name: Hedvig Stousland; 15 November 1831 in Skien - 15 June 1920 in Skien) was the sister of playwright Henrik Ibsen.

Life

Hedvig was the sister with whom Ibsen was particularly close during their childhood. She was the daughter of Knud Ibsen and Marichen Altenburg, in a wealthy family whose fortunes were eventually ruined by Knud Ibsen's bankruptcy.

Influence on Henrik Ibsen

Hedvig was named for her maternal grandmother, Hedevig Paus. The character Hedvig in The Wild Duck is widely believed to be named for her and/or her grandmother.

Marriage

She married ship's captain Jacob Stousland, and was the mother of merchant and politician Carl Stousland (1860–1941), who served as a Member of Parliament for Skien and as the Mayor of Skien.