Knut Hamsun was a Norwegian author born on August 4, 1859, in Lofoten Islands, Norway. He is best known for his novel Hunger, published in 1890, which explores the psychological struggles of a young writer in Oslo. Hamsun's innovative narrative style and deep character exploration significantly influenced modern literature. In 1920, Hamsun received the Nobel Prize in Literature for his work, particularly for the novel Growth of the Soil. His writing often reflects themes of nature, individualism, and the human psyche. However, his later support for Nazi Germany during World War II has led to controversy surrounding his legacy.