Erik Haugaard

Erik was a student from 1941 to 1943. While a student, he contributed to news reports and worked in the summer 1942 work camp. He was drafted while at the college and served as a cadet pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Penguin Random House shares a bio along with his book titles, "Erik Haugaard was a Danish author and translator who is best known for his children’s books and translations of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales. His books have been recognized with an American Library Association Notable Book Award, a Jane Addams Award, and a Culture Minister of Denmark Prize."

Relationships

Brother: Fellow BMC student, Dan Haugaard

Black Mountain College Project

Mary Emma Harris interviewed Erik in 1995 (transcript) and 2006 (transcript) which are available from Appalachian State University under The Mary Emma Harris and Black Mountain College Project, Inc. Oral History collection.

Topics 1995: Hearing about Black Mountain College - Immigration to United States - Robert Wunsch as theater director - Eric Bentley class - Enlistment in World WarTwo - Paul Radin class - As author of children’s books

MEH: You mentioned Jalo. Were you interested in music?

EH: No, I wasn't, but we all loved Jalowetz. I mean he was the most lovable man you could think of. I mean he was the sweetest person. He really was. No, I studied with Bentley, Eric Bentley, and I was more into English, English literature, and also with Wunsch. I was in, in the Moliere play when we took it around. We went up, down to Chapel Hill and produced it there and I think in three high schools around, and I drove the truck with the scenery and I had a small bit part.

Topics 2006: Dislike of school as child – leaving school to become farmer – move to United States – travels through western USA – enrolling at BMC and significance for life – BMC faculty and BMC educational philosophy – conflicts with Josef Albers – family background in Denmark – parents’ move to USA – Essex County Agricultural School – high school in Palo Alto – travels in northern California – enrollment in Canadian Air Force and service – BMC theater and play The Snow Falls Each Year – work program – Mendez Marks – Jack and Rubye Lipsey – BMC parties and losing tooth – Frances Kuntz – dancing at BMC – Paul Radin – Bill McLaughlin – meeting wife at New School – year in Denmark as gentleman – marriage – living in Rapallo, Italy – selling Christmas trees near Holland Tunnel – first children’s books and success of Little Fishes – translation of Hans Christian Andersen – move to Ireland – death of wife and remarriage – years in Japan and writing of children’s books